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By Daniel Jessup - 15 Years Ago
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Ok, decided to spend some time with my wife tonight and we sat down and watched the opening ceremony to the olympics. As always, pretty freaky stuff that makes no sense. A few cool special effects, but it gets old after about....10 seconds... What we need is a monster Y block to take center stage in the arena and listen to the beautiful "music" it makes and how it brings us all together... Nothing against Canadians, but it is always this way, whether in China, Mexico, Australia, USA, or what have you... BUT - Happy Valentine's Day to my beautiful wife!!! going on 14 years this May!
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By PF Arcand - 15 Years Ago
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Daniel: I don't necessarily agree with your analysis but while I wish all the athletes the best, what is "freaky" is the $ cost & the almost unbelievable arrogance of the I.O.C.. They and their offspring Vanoc came into Vancouver/Whistler like they are the new dictators in charge of the Province. I wasn't in favor of the games coming here, because I know that the taxpayers will be stuck with a giant bill after it's over. But there here now, so I hope Canadians do well in the games. Oh! while I think of it, for those American that think Canada is a land of never ending ice & snow, we don't have enough snow for some of the venues & the organizers have had to truck & fly in enough snow to run some of the events. No cost spared!
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By Daniel Jessup - 15 Years Ago
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No doubt, the olympics is always a large undertaking with much wasted monies. It was horrible to see the luger from Georgia lose his life in a run that really was not going too bad until the very last turn when he lost control. Brings a new respect to the event and the sport, and the fragility of human life. We love the olympics, and most of the venues, although last summer to see it in a communist controlled country like China was a mistake...but the opening ceremonies most often is something that I have a hard time going through...the parade of countries - Great! Most of the artistic stuff - I have a hard time staying tuned.  I have a friend, Gene Burge, that has been trying for 10 years to get me up to Vancouver. He believes that if I get up there, I will not want to leave. Must be a beautiful place.
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By junkyardjeff - 15 Years Ago
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I had it on for about 20 seconds and then turned the tv off,I think the opening ceremony is a little too goofy and was hoping it was over and the events had begun. It does look like a big waste of money that could of been better spent else where like padding the posts on the luge track.
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By pegleg - 15 Years Ago
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PF Arcand (2/13/2010)
Oh! while I think of it, for those American that think Canada is a land of never ending ice & snow, we don't have enough snow for some of the venues & the organizers have had to truck & fly in enough snow to run some of the events. No cost spared!Paul, Talk to Glenn, I think he's got some snow in Alabama that he'd probably be glad to send to you! I have been to Vancouver, lovely town, but I like Victoria and the island better.
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By Bob's 55 - 15 Years Ago
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From what I've read, there were athletes, both bobsled and luge, complaining about the course weeks beforehand. It's unfortunate that someone had to lose their life before the olympics even started.
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By Glen Henderson - 15 Years Ago
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Better come get it quick, should get up to 45 degrees today and its melting fast.
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By MarkMontereyBay - 15 Years Ago
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PF Arcand (2/13/2010)
Daniel: I don't necessarily agree with your analysis but while I wish all the athletes the best, what is "freaky" is the $ cost & the almost unbelievable arrogance of the I.O.C.. They and their offspring Vanoc came into Vancouver/Whistler like they are the new dictators in charge of the Province. I wasn't in favor of the games coming here, because I know that the taxpayers will be stuck with a giant bill after it's over. But there here now, so I hope Canadians do well in the games. Oh! while I think of it, for those American that think Canada is a land of never ending ice & snow, we don't have enough snow for some of the venues & the organizers have had to truck & fly in enough snow to run some of the events. No cost spared!
Paul,
I have a long history dealing with Jacques Rogge and his IOC crew dating back to Nagano, Japan. I can't agree with you more after witnessing the arrogance of their traveling economic carnival offering promises of revenue and development, they leave a bloody trail of distressed taxpayers and environmental waste. The Winter Olympics can be and have been one of the most exciting events to watch, but the inevitable economic rush has diminished the spirit and put the venue's community and the participating athletes at risk. Maybe the death of the luge competitor might, as in motorsports, refocus the IOC and VANOC on safety.
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By Gordie T - 15 Years Ago
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I heard this morning that 49 of the 50 states have snow on the ground. I love how global warming has now switched to climate change. Al Gore,,,,stick this in your pipe and smoke it.
Gt
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By MoonShadow - 15 Years Ago
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I find it interesting that prior to the opening practice only Canadian teams were allowed to run the track! Talk about an unfair advantage over your competition. They tout this as the fastest track to date. Obviously more runs would have helped tune the safety. But, after all, Luge is one of the really dangerous sports. Too bad someone had to lose their life to remind us. Chuck in NH
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By 55Birdman - 15 Years Ago
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Can someone please tell me the reason for the olympics? Why does one schedule the Winter Olympics in an area that the average tepmerature now is 49 degrees? Never have understood politics.
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By PF Arcand - 15 Years Ago
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Yes; apparently the IOC at some point was told that this years winter would likely be mild & on the wet side, as prevailing weather would likely be coming up from the Hawaii area. Usually the Whistler/Blackcomb mountains which are some distance from Vancouver, have good snow conditions in Feb. But they are experiencing rain & fog as of today & runs have been postponed. The real problem is at Cyprus mountain which is in N. Vancouver, lower and effected by coastal conditions. They haven't had new snow in some time. The Olympics should have been here last year. We had lower temperatures and a record snowfall.
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By 55Birdman - 15 Years Ago
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I live in NC where it almost never snows . This year however it has been interesting 3 big storms so far another expected tomorrow night. Total of almost 2 feet. We get trace amounts here most of the time . The I.O.C. should have looked here. My street would be great for all the downhill races. Very cold here also. El Nino they say. I think its shameful blaming the winter weather on a Hispanic guy.
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