olympics

back before i became obsessed with hockey, i was obsessed with the olympics. some of my earliest television memories are of mark spitz at the 72 summer games in munich. (in hindsight, that mustache was so silly!) by the 76 montreal games, i was taping the opening and closing ceremonies. with my cassette deck. in 1980, i got to combine my hockey love with the olympics, when the us boys won the "miracle on ice" in lake placid. i left los angeles the month before their summer games in 84, but i still stocked up on merchandise.

the summer games in atlanta in 96 were, despite the fascist head of the i.o.c. and a bunch of whiny spoiled journalists, amazingly fantastic. the city was beautiful, the international atmosphere was awesome, and the events were so much fun. i got to see baseball, soccer, gymnastics, and equestrian events. i was downtown at centennial olympic park the night before the bombing, and just remembering it now gives me goosebumps. the city was twinkly and electric.


i think i was ruined by the movie international velvet, where tatum o'neal played national velvet's orphaned niece who competed in the olympics for the british equestrian team, while also snagging the superhot captain of the american team ("getting married -- it's silver and gold" -- i think i've seen that movie a few too many times).

i love the sport, the competition, i even love the nationalism. (or i did before i was embarrassed to be an american.) as anthony hopkins quotes baron de coubertain in international velvet, "it's not the winning, it's the taking part."

i always wanted to compete in the olympics. marching in during the opening ceremony, standing on the podium with the flags and the national anthem playing.....i'm pretty sure that will be one thing on my life's to-do list that i won't be able to cross off.


but the winter olympics are coming to my favorite city in north america -- vancouver! in 2010. despite the fact that my favorite hotel is already booked up, i'm going. anyone want to come with me?