Thanks To Bing
Every two years during one of the Olympic seasons, the nations of the world get to stand up and shout “HEY LOOK AT US.”
The Olympics are great for anyone who likes sports. On show are the best athletes in the world competing for one of sports’ greatest honors. But sometimes, with all the events, it’s easy to lose track of who is winning and who is whining.
So, USDemocrazy has hit the web to update you on the progress in Vancouver.
Not surprisingly, the winter games are dominated by primarily northern counties. (It’s kinda hard to practice cross country skiing if you live in the desert… Sand dunes just don’t cut it.)
America currently stands in the lead with 18 medals, six of which are gold. (Go U.S.A.!) Germany takes the silver with 11 medals, followed by a bronzed France with seven. (updated Feb. 19, 2010 @ 4:30 p.m.)
Gold medal notables are Shani Davis, Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White, Seth Wescott, Evan Lysacek, and Hannah Kearney.
The New York Times has diligently broken down Shaun White’s victory, digitally. (They use graphs and pictures and everything.)
There are 15 sports represented at Vancouver. Most of them are what you would expect to be at a winter sporting event. Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and ice skating (the winter Olympics have a thing for alliteration). But other events have snuck in over the years.
A biathlon combines the endurance of cross country skiing with the precision of shooting (cause hey, it’s not full day until you’ve shot at something).
Curling is a sport of precision and strategy, and consequently is the only sport in the winter games you can participate in while drinking a beer.
Other sports have tried, but failed to make it as an Olympic sport. Such as Bandy, which is essentially hockey with a ball, and Skijoring, a sport that involves the competitor being pulled on skis, behind a horse, or a team of dogs.
The competition at the Olympics is naturally fierce, but something about the games seems to invoke competitiveness in everything around it. NBC is in a pitched battle with Fox’s “American Idol” over ratings.
“Idol,” which has remained dominant for six seasons, crushed the Olympics 23.6 million views to 19.7. NBC has reported that they’re disappointed but not discouraged and, with training, they will take the gold from Fox at the next games.
If you feel like you’re missing the action, NBC has a full schedule on their website. Check it out and cheer the U.S. on to victory! (Editor’s Note: Other countries are okay too.)
When will being dragged on the snow behind a horse drawn sleigh become a Olympic sport?
People want to know!