O is for the Olympics

The Olympics have ended. With a big finale as Sidney Crosby scored the winning goal for Canada. There were so many highlights about these games that I would like to address including Alexander Bilideau doing his amazing first jump in moguls, such an amazing feat would have been absolutely impossible for someone like me, who, in spite of my fearlessness can't jump over a little jump without falling and never trying it again, to do. Another highlight was in the men's' 1500m speed skating event when this Russian guy called Ivan Scobrev got on the ice. On the T.V. you could see what the pace line was to beat the time, if you were skating beyond that line, you would be in first place, which Ivan was. Way beyond that line in fact. He was huffing and puffing and seemed as though he was going to fall behind but he didn't. When he crossed the finish line he threw off his hood, looked up at the screen showing his time, and the most magnificent face of the whole Olympic Winter Games was visible for the world to see. It was a mixture between shock, joy and relief that melted on to his open mouthed expression. It is something I will remember for the rest of my life. Unfortunately for him, Mark Tuitert was next and got another gold for Holland (YEAH!!!), the guy that he was against (Havard Bokko) got bronze, and Shani Davis got silver. I felt sad for the Russian guy.

With all the highlights there were lowlights as well. Very sad lowlights. The whole 16 million people in the Netherlands were watching as Sven Kramer was making the Olympic record in the 5km speed skating race. I was clapping and cheering my heart out until the commentator said,

Wait, there seems to be a problem. It seems to be that Sven Kramer of The Netherlands has been disqualified for incorrect lane changing.'

That's about when my dad called from India to tell us that it was three o'clock in the morning there in India and that Sven Kramer actually did get disqualified. It was quite horrible. Imagine how Sven might feel. I can tell you, its anything but good. Oh well, it was just an Olympic gold medal right?

Another thing about the Olympics was the mistakes. I asked one of my teachers and she said that there was absolutely wrong just a few minor misshaps. In the eyes of the rest of the world however, things like a tower not rising at the opening ceremonies was an event of shame upon Canada. What was particularly interesting was that with the first race of the speed skating event, the zambonies spilled hot water everywhere and caused an hour delay. You have my teacher saying that it was great how it was fixed in only an hour, and you also have Erben Wennemars commentating on the dutch radio saying how shameful it must be for Canada to be in this position and a bunch of other stuff. Nationalism, something I will never understand.

I do think though that this was a wonderful Olympics that was very exciting to watch and I enjoyed it very much. Especially the Norwegian men's' curling pants.

Life Lesson: The Olympics only come four times a year. Don't mess up.