Monday, February 15, 2010

The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Defeat


The Olympics are such fun to watch!

HEARTWARMING MOMENTS. . .
  • The Georgia Republic team with their black armbands at the Opening Ceremonies.
  • Candad's Bilodeau winning the Men's Moguls on Sunday, and seeing him hug his older brother who inspires him. (His brother has cerebral palsy.)
  • USA's Hannah Kearney winning the Women's Moguls on Saturday, and the emotion she and the bronze medalist, USA's Shannon Bahrke, displayed as the results were announced, and then at the Medal Ceremony

INTERSPERSED WITH CRINGING MOMENTS. . .
  • The Men's Short-Track Race when the Koreans were about to win a 1-2-3 sweep, and on the last turn, the 2nd & 3rd place skaters crashed. (Although it was also funny in a twisted way. . .and it allowed Apollo Ohno to medal!)
  • The Pairs Figure Skaters when they miss their landings. . . and the incredulity when the ones who fall are placed higher than ones who skate a clean program. (Even Scott Hamilton and Sandra Bezic were perplexed!)

AND THEN THERE ARE THE ADS. . .
  • The Nationwide Insurance commercial with "The World's Best Spokesperson in the World"
  • The P&G salute to moms: "To their moms, they'll always be kids."
  • The McDonald's commercial where the parents keep snatching the Happy Meal from each other as they race home. Dad wins and hands the little boy the Happy Meal, and the boy says "Thanks, Mom!" (It's cuter to watch than it sounds here! But I couldn't find it on You Tube.)


I have a kabillion books to read and review, but I don't know how I'm supposed to manage that during these next two weeks!

What are your favorite Olympic moments?


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9 comments:

Barbara H. said...

I echo many of your observations and feelings!

I don't know who invented mogul skiing, but it looks like murder on the knees.

I usually only watch "favorite" events, but for some reason this year I feel compelled to watch as much as possible. Maybe because it's "history in the making" and the recap news clicks just don't give you the full effects.

Skoots1moM said...

loving the P&G commercials...
especially loved watching the women's mogul medal ceremony...great emotion and loved the singing from the bronze medalist...she was SO excited.
got to enjoy the figure skating short programs with my hubby...he usually doesn't like to watch figure skating but this year THE ATHLETES were awesome and he even made comments about their skating...love it!
I thought it was neat that the skater who had been so horribly injured in speed skating (a while back) was able to win bronze with Ohno taking silver..wooo hooo!

Skoots1moM said...

there's a list of widgets on the NBC olympic site...if you'd like to see one I have it on my sidebar :)

Cindy said...

Anytime they play the national anthem and I see our flag and the athlete's responses to it, I get emotional. I love it.

I told my son he could try out for the next winter olympics as long as it was Curling. Not as much of a chance for injury there, except maybe broom elbow.

CeeCee said...

*gasp* I haven't started watching yet. Not feeling too well lately. Tomorrow, I'll go see a doctor. However, I usually enjoy the ice skating. Keep us updated!

Sandy@ Jesus and Dark Chocolate said...

Great Olympic moments! :) I also enjoyed telling my daughter the story of how Hannah Kearney won the gold in this Olympics, but did horrible 4 years ago at Torino (sp?). She didn't even make it into the final 20. But she fought back, worked hard and won the gold. LOve her determination.
Love the McD's commercial btw, what a hoot. :)

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

I'm having trouble getting "into" it. And when figure skaters fall, I just feel so bad for them that I cannot watch any more. It tears my heart out because I know the hours and hours of practice that they put in to get to THAT moment. The Random is a little about the Olympics this week.

Kelly said...

I'm enjoying the moments too, and have seen both of those commercials you referenced. (I linked the P& G one). Great commentary.

Susanne said...

While I hate the amount of money poured into an Olympic event when schools and health care are in the pot up here, I do love watching the athletes and cheer for all of them no matter what country. But I have to say Biledou's moment was awesome and one I will remember not only for his backstory with the inspiration of his handicapped brother but for how gracious of a young man he is. The pressure on the first Canadians to compete was incredible to win the first ever gold on Canadian soil, and this young man who did it, in a news conference said that the first was no more important than any of the other golds Canadians might win this year. Good on him!

Do I dare whisper "Go Canada"? :v)