I'm excited about the olympics so I started a thread. tonight's the opening ceremony which is always a spectacular event!
Ski jump qualifying is starting right now. It's one of those events that happens before the opening ceremonies. It's a sport where we have little hope to contend, because our ski jump team is self-funded, with virtually no resources.
I did not know that! What channel is it on?
Corection: it starts at 10AM in Vancouver which is 1PM eastern. I don't know if it's being televised. I'm only familiar with it because my boss' nephew is one of the three Americans on the team.
The big secret is who will light the cauldron @ the end. Gretsky has been suggested as has Terry Fox's mother(marathon of hope)DAvid Suzuki but i kinda am leaning else wearing.
May be Bobby Orr or Paul Henderson but maybe even one of the great Canadien players Yvan Cornvoier. Shame Maurice Richard isn't around.
The guy running these games has flat-out denied that it's Gretzky. He's also said that the person is one whose name has NOT been bandied about in the press.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/28/04
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Broadway Legend Joined: 12/28/04
What a shame. A luger died in a practice run.
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/sports&id=7273968
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I can't believe they published that story before his family was notified.
The video of the crash is now online, though I won't link to it. However, I will say that the conditions were obviously unsafe. Unpadded steel posts surrounding a track where speeds exceed 90mph?
I was just reading about this. How sad. There have been others injured on that track the last two days, too.
Updated On: 2/12/10 at 03:39 PM
I refuse to see the video but I did see a photo caught in the luger's final moments airborne before he made impact. There are a lot of photos that show post-impact up now too but my curiosity is stunted at this point. The lack of padding around the area was disturbing, I cannot believe they let athletes practice there.
For the Olympic Torch ceremony, I was thinking Gordie Howe. My hockey centrism also makes me think Don Cherry in some epic kind of blazer.
I'd rather not see the video either. I hope they don't show it at all during the olympics.
How sad. My thoughts go out to his family. Not a good way to start off the games.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/04
I refuse to watch the video of what happened and I'm surprised that some stations were showing the accident. Why wasn't the area padded? Are they going to pad the area now or will that take too much time to do?
I will be missing a good part of the opening ceremony as I will be at the Umass- Amherst Northeastern Hockey game with my dad. I know my mom would be a happy woman if Bobby Orr were to be one of the last touch bearers. I know he hasn't been in any of the Olympics but he is one of the greatest hockey players of all time.
I'm really looking forward to the hockey games this year. I'm conflicted as to who I should cheer for. I should cheer for team USA for obvious reasons (plus Jon Quick played at Umass Amherst). But at the same time I really like Team Canada because my favorite player From the Boston Bruins is on the team. Can I cheer for both?
billygoatgirl, I am not necessarily rooting for or against the national teams but I am just hoping nobody who plays on the Devils gets hurt. I feel bad for Paul Martin and to a lesser extent Team USA as he cannot participate and Team USA lost a veteran presence. Rafalski is the only real experienced national and professional on defense. I have a feeling Canada vs. Russia for the gold. Being on the podium for Team USA would be huge.
So sad about the luger......
strummer, I would love it to be Don Cherry in a crazy blazer with like Canadian flags all over it or something.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/8/04
Strummer- I agree with you about Paul Martin or any player that get hurt and aren't able play in the Olympics. These guys are so excited to make their countries team and then have to drop out.It must be very difficult for them to make that decision
I think the top three teams will be Canada, Russia and Sweden. Kinda funny looking at Team Canada and a good part of them won Gold in the 2005 World Jrs Championship.
I'll be dvr'ing the ceremony tonight because I have to work, but I think it would be more fun watching it while it happens.
They just showed the crash on CBS Evening News
It was over & done in about 3 seconds. He hit unpadded beams. Had they been padded it probably would have saved his life.
I wonder if Keifer Sutherland would be considred? He is the grandson of Tommy Douglas who was voted The Greatest Canadian.
Can't be Celine she's in N.Y. tying to make ReneBabies.
Oh well- soon know.
On the radio I heard the the family of the luger who died were in fact contacted before they released the information to the public.
On the news they said that they expect Celine Dion to be part of the opening ceremonies although she did not participate in the dress rehearsal.
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