Speed skating love!

[rms10]

I love speed skating, and have ever since the 1988 Olympics, when my eight-year-old self was entranced by Bonnie Blair. I love the form and technique and endurance of the athletes, and I love watching them on the turns. (The love for the form on the turns goes double for short track. Such grace and balance!) And I totally love the Dutch speed skating fans! Wheeee!

I must confess that I love love love Apolo Anton Ohno. He clearly loves competing and loves his sport, and it shows every time he races. And not only does he appreciate the attention that his obscure sport gets during the Olympics, he loves the Olympics themselves. As a total Olympics geek, I love it when the athletes are thrilled to be there, and see the Olympics as more than just another competition. Bode Miller should take notes.

(And oh my god is Ohno hot. Yeow.)

Meanwhile, due to traveling, I missed all the petty Shani Davis-Chad Hetrick drama. Ha! As far as I can tell they're both giant tools, so I'm focusing on Enrico Fabris and Clara Hughes. Yay! What incredible finishes they had.

At one point I was considering going to the SLC Olympics, and tickets for the various speed-skating events were only $25-$35. But I knew I couldn't afford a hotel or anything like that, and I wasn't keen on driving from Michigan to Utah in February. However, I should have no excuses for Vancouver in 2010.

Comments

[rms10.livejournal.com]

Hi, Genevieve! I do remember you, and have added you back.

I finally saw Cheek's 500m race, which they reaired during the Closing Ceremonies. Yay! And he is such a class act. Oh gosh, good sportsmanship makes me all giddy. I am a total dork.