So, since it's starting tonight with the Opening Ceremonies, what are everyone's thoughts on the Olympics. This thread is for predictions, thoughts, complaints about the Olympics.
Here are my thoughts:
a) I think Wayne Gretzky should be the final torch bearer. Despite the fact that he never actually played in the Olympics, he has been involved in them for the past few and was a big supporter of getting the games to Vancouver. The rumour was that Walter Gretzky would be the second-to-last torch bearer and he would hand it off to his son, but they have come out and said that it wont be him, which I can respect. It would be good to have someone from BC light the flame, but Im not sure who. Steve Nash? Arguably one of BC's most famous Athletes, but not a winter sport type of guy.
b) On the idea that we shouldn't have hosted the Olympics. On one hand, I understand that sentiment. The olympics have become more about the sponsorship and marketing than about the athletics. Its sad to see that happen to what was once a very noble tradition. However, I think that there is still a lot of good that comes from the Olympics. Who in this country isn't hoping for the Men's (or Women's) Hockey Team to win gold? Think about how united the country would be and how crazy it would be if we won. Athletes like Cindy Klassen and Clara Hughes, moments like winning Hockey gold in Salt Lake City.. those are things that young kids can aspire to. Yes, there are scandals that occur during the games, and, the media being who they are, issues like that will get a lot of air time, but I think it's up to us as a population to focus on the positives from the games and not the negatives.
Another point regarding hosting the games is that they cost a lot and that money would be better spent going toward social programs, education and health care. A lot of the money that is spent on the games simply didn't exist prior to the decision to host them in Vancouver. Yes, the provincial government spent a lot of money on the games but they did so with the expectation that the province will get a lot of money as a result of all the sponsorship dollars and tourists coming to Vancouver. Social programs may not have received as much as they wanted, but its not like every dollar that was spent on the Olympics could have been spent on those programs instead. Without the Olympics, there would be no hope of making that investment back, and therefore, a large proportion of that wouldn't have been spent at all. I do, however, agree that the only cities that will see any benefit from the Olympics are Vancouver and to a lesser extent, Victoria. The rest of the province has been made to suffer so that those cities could prosper. Im not sure of the solution to that.
c) Men's Hockey.
I think Canada is fielding a really strong team and I like the approach they've taken of choosing a core group of players and then choosing the rest of the team to complement them. I think they learned from Turin where they tried to choose all superstars. Im looking forward to seeing the San Jose line together because I think the chemistry they've demonstrated this season will be an advantage over players who've never played together before. I think that Brodeur should get the start but Luongo will play in game 2. We shouldn't have a problem with either of those teams and that gives both goalies a chance to show their stuff. Whomever plays better should have the start vs the US next Sunday.
Im worried about Team Sweden and Russia. I dont think the US is fielding a very strong team, but they have a lot of gritty players and a goalie who can play spectacularly and has proven himself, so anything can happen. I think that Russia is going to be ridiculous. They have so much firepower and their defence isn't anything to sneeze at. Sweden is a team full of snipers. They might not be as physical as any of the other top teams, but they'll be great on the rush and their superb passing will be difficult to deal with. To be honest, those are the only teams I am seriously worried about.
Those are my thoughts on the games for now. I've got my jersey on, my mittens sitting next to me and Im ready to drink some beer and shout myself hoarse. Go CANADA!
