Olympics XX - Turin, Italy - 2006

I have to write and express my disappointment in this year’s Olympic games. Not because the American’s aren’t doing nearly as well as promised (remember when everyone said that we’d win gold – or something, at least! – in all of the skiing/snowboarding events?), but because they’re simply not as interesting as they were last time. I remember being so excited every night for all the events, summer or winter, and on the edge of my seat each time. Not this year.

I must also admit my disappointment in watching Apolo fall, Bode end up medal-less (so far), skating legend Michelle Kwan withdraw, and the favored Hannah Kearney fail to qualify.

And yet, how nice it felt to watch a Texan take a surprise speed-skating gold, Americans dominate snowboarding (though we are credited with inventing the sport, therefore making the gold almost expected), and come-back kid Ted Ligety surprise us with glory after initial dissapointment.

On the following point, my mother and I drastically disagree. Bode Miller – what an asshole, right? Look at him – smart ass, making all sorts of wise comments, full of sarcasm and wit. I think he’s fantastic. The man skis drunk – 70+mph flying down treacherous slopes with some booze still in his system. He has a zest for life and a passion for fun – recklessness – whatever you want to call it – that’s absolutely amazing. Hell, the night before his first Olympic run he’s at the bar, and the next morning he’s changing skis. He does things that are unheard of. He’s refreshing, fun… scandalous and interesting – not to mention rather handsome. Grew up in a poor hick town near Dartmouth. I don’t see the controversy – no one said to be “America’s greatest skier” he had to be a role model for little kids. So he chose to be himself – a bad ass bent on making a good show, gold or no gold.

Yea Bode.