It’s over. The last Olympics of my 20’s gone. I am a huge fan of all things Olympics, summer and winter, so it is always sort of a letdown when it all ends. These games had a lot to live up to after the wildly successful Beijing games of 2008. I thought Vancouver did a fine job despite a few miscues, poor weather early on and a terrible tragedy that essentially opened the games.
I got to thinking about which games are the most fun to watch, or possibly even go to and I have come up with my answer, and that is the Winter Olympics. Again, I am a huge fan of both, and I can’t wait for London, but just like in the bobsled, there has to be one winner.
The argument:
- Winter games have more fun sports to watch. Who couldn’t get into watching snowboard cross, half pipe, moguls or speed skating? What are the most interesting summer sports to watch? Swimming (which may be the top of both Olympics), volleyball, basketball, track maybe? Gymnastics? These are great, and represent a good chunk of the popularity of the games, but offer little danger, fewer close calls and tight finishes. Winter games offer a variety of sports we don’t get to see very often in the States. Luge, bobsleigh (official name), skiing and skating offer a nice competitive break from the NBA this time of year. Many of these sports feature pretty damn brave athletes going 40+mph down ice and snow, high flying tricks and football field long jumps through the air. Gimmicky? I’m not so sure. The athleticism and competitiveness of these events show some real merit, even if we only recognize it once every 4 years. The winter Olympics also offer some real nail bitters with many of the events coming down to tenths and hundredths of seconds. Yes, this happens in the summer, but across as many sports?
- The “hey I could do that” clause. Even though no falser words could ever be concocted, it is easier to imagine becoming a winter Olympian than a summer one. There is no way a person could ever imagine wrestling or boxing at that level, running fast or shooting arrows better than they do and since you or I will never play in the NBA, basketball is out too. But isn’t it easier to imagine being the 3rd guy on the bobsled team? Curling is another easy example. I had the same feeling about volleyball and table tennis in the summer Olympics. But, just look at gold medalist Steve Holcomb’s size and tell me you aren’t happy that bigger guys can win gold.
- The winter Olympics aren’t a gimme for the USA. This brings in the national pride and competitiveness part to the games. Since Barcelona it’s been all USA, all the time in the summer games. Now I like kicking everyone’s ass just as much as the next guy, but the winter games gives us something more to work towards. Breaking the medals record this year feels good. It’s also the first time we have topped the charts for the winter Olympics.
Olympic naysayers may point out that few of the sports are popular and many of the athletes will be after thoughts almost immediately. True and true, but who cares? The longevity of an athlete’s popularity shouldn’t be the mark of an events success.
NBC didn’t do the best job this year broadcasting the games, but they did a good job. Their ratings were high this year including two ratings victories over the once untouchable American Idol. People may have just been snowed in, but whatever it is, it’s good news for the Winter Olympics. Enjoy both Olympics, and pull for our nation but don’t you dare talk down about the beloved games of the winter. Ever.
~ Gordon Southard
Filed under: Olympics | Tagged: Winter Olympics 2010, Summer Olympics, Vancouver
Gordo,
Thanks for contributing to the site. I truly appreciate it. You know that I am a Winter Olympics fanatic. I am an avid snowboarder and arctic recreator. I watched all of NBC’s prime time coverage. There are more events at the summer Olympics, but you get much more bang for your buck in the Winter. Shaun White is out of this world. Also, females in the Winter games are MUCH hotter. There are dozens of female Winter Olympians that are LEGIT. Cheryl Bernard may be 44, but she is solid. Lindsey Jacobellis is cute with the frizzy hair. Women’s Curling is my new sport in 2010.
My vote is for the Winter Games…less events = less stupid events…while you have to put up w/the occasional lame sport, you don’t get bombarded with synchronized swimming like you do in the Summer Games.
There are also less ahtletes which gives you a real intimate connection to your favorite olympians. For every Michael Phelps in the summer games, there are about 10,000 other athletes who go largely unrecognized.
I can say this…While I wasn’t alive to see it, the Miracle on Ice is the biggest thing in Olympic History and, let’s not forget great stories such as Dan Janzen redeeming himself in 1994 after his fall in Calgary in 1988 and sisters death or, Bode Miller redeeming himself in this Olympics…stories like that aren’t as abundent in the summer games.