Meggisi

Oliver’s First Steps from Kris Pierson on Vimeo.

I am loving it. Particularly Short Track…and not because of Apollo…because it is cool.

J.R. Celski and Si-Bak Sung skate in Vancouver

I dig the fact that they race not only around the rink, but around each other. I am trying to forget about the drama on the luge track, and the graphic scene of young Nodar Kumaritashvil crashing to his death. But it is hard to forget when network TV decided that it was okay to show the video of the crash over, and over, and over again. (a)

Life moves on, however, and despite the sad start to the games things are relatively back to normal. The triumph of these athletes is evident – even in those who just barely miss the medal they are after. They are all very accomplished and talented. It is a blast to watch. Besides short track, I am also looking forward to snowboarding, alpine skiing, hockey, and even some figure skating. My main goal, though, is to watch, follow closely, and gain complete understanding of curling.

Women's Team USA at Olympic Trials (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

I have to say, I am fascinated. Also, if you are Minnesotan, you need to pay attention: the entire US Men’s team is from MN, out of the Duluth and St. Paul clubs. The Women’s team is 1/2 MN and 1/2 WI, out of the St. Paul, Bemidji, and Madison clubs.

GO TEAM USA!

(a) Obviously a decision mired in controversy. Yahoo! Sports has an argument in it’s blog that NBC made a good journalistic decision. I disagree. If they had to show it as a proper way to cover the story, they could have just kept the video on the internet, or at least wait until the late show to air the footage.