I cannot believe the 2010 Winter Olympics are tonight. I have never been a die-hard spectator of the Olympics but I can truly appreciate the amount of determination and strength that these athletes have in them. The thought of going to the Olympics would be a dream come true for anyone, and everyone that is strong and talented enough to actually make it deserve their own recognition. These individuals are heroic!
Facts about the Winter Olympics:
- The first Winter Olympic was held in Chamonix, France in 1924
- Norway has won the most medals at the Winter Games – 263!
- Up until 1994 the Olympics were held every four years.
- Speed skater Bonnie Blair has won six medals at the Olympic Winter Games. That’s more than any other American athlete.
- The Winter Olympic sports are alpine skiing, biathlon (cross-country skiing and target shooting), bobsled, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, luge, Nordic combined (ski jumping and cross-country skiing), skeleton, ski jumping, snowboarding, and speed skating.
I am so proud of our very own Washington State participants. We have a total of 11 going! I even went to High School with one of them, Torin Koos. He was a few years ahead of me but I did graduate with his sister, Kari. Torin is competing in Cross Country Skiing.
And I am sure you are all aware of Apolo Ohno – he is nationwide superstar! But it was destined to be; he even grew up on Olympic Drive. How ironic!
Here are the participants from Washington State:
Will Brandenburg, Alpine skiing, Spokane
Holly Brooks, Nordic skiing,Seattle
J.R. Celski, Speedskating, Federal Way
Patrick Deneen, Moguls skiing, Cle Elum
Nicole Joraanstad, Curling, Kent
Torin Koos, Nordic skiing, Leavenworth
Apolo Ohno, Speedskating, Federal Way
Christian Niccum, Luge, Woodinville
Bree Schaaf, Bobsled, Bremerton
Jeremy Teela, Biathlon, Tonasket
Karen Thatcher, Hockey, Blaine
I want to wish all of the participants a very safe and healthy competition. May all of your dreams come true!
I do love watching the snowboarding events, specifically the half pipe. What are your favorite events? Are you planning on watching the Olympics?
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