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many of you many not be aware of this, but i am a HUGE olympics fan. huge. i love watching the events and getting to know the athletes. i cry at each and every personal athlete story shared before an event. like the guy from austria whose wood-working father chopped down a tree on their own land. he fashioned a piece of that tree into the design of his son's skiis. That way his son would have a piece of home with him as he hurled down the slopes at mind-numbing speeds. or, the only ethiopian athlete who had to convince his country that cross-country skiing was something worthwhile to support. he hopes to win the gold. or the 53 year old woman bobsledder from the virgin islands who recently crashed, injuring herself. she will not longer be able to compete. by the end of the two weeks i feel as if i know all of the athletes personally and i love them all dearly.

there are many tense moments being an olympic fan. did you see bode miller get disqualified in the slalom? did you SEE that apollo anton ohno didn't even QUALIFY for the final short-track speed skating competition? he won the gold at the last olympics so this was very disappointing for him, for me, for all americans. and did you hear that michelle kwan had to drop out of the competition b/c her past injuries have prevented her from feeling fully prepared? she said she respected the olympics enough to drop out and give someone else a chance. with that, she earns my respect. i hope to see her on my box of wheaties despite not ever winning the gold. and what about the flying carrot (oops...i mean tomato. thanks brett)? this US hopeful almost let us down on the half-pipe. but, with his charming personality he still would have won this fan's heart.

speed skating is my favorite sport to watch. it is like watching water. it is beautiful and it is graceful and it is fast. the competitors flow in and out of each other like waves moving in and out from the shore. there is a lot of strategy involved and it always comes down to a photo finish. it is so intense that sometimes i have to hide my eyes. i was very disappointed when apollo did not qualify. the only negative about being a speed skating fan is that you have to stay up very late to watch the competitions. ice skating is always first.

ice skating is my least favorite event to watch even though i've watched every round. the chinese are looking good this year as do the russians, but that goes without saying. it's funny how all ice skaters kind of look russian isn't it? the only benefit of keeping up with ice skating are the stories. you've got the chinese rising up despite communism. in the past the athletes had to learn to skate by sneaking a peak at photographs of american skaters. then you've got the russians who always have endured some sort of hardship to reach olympic ice. then you've got the american skaters who try to portray themselves as bad-asses. last night was a classic example. i don't remember the kid's name b/c he is the new "hopeful" this year. his skating was unbelievable. beautiful. he was dressed like a swan and really had me convinced that he was one. the ugly duckling blossoming into the beautiful swan. it was funny to hear him try to portray himself as a "rebel skater." sorry kid, no rebel dresses like a swan...and can actually move like one.

there are about a week of events left. if you haven't stopped by the games yet this olympic season i suggest that you do. join me in cheering for apollo as he will get another chance at gold. see if rebel bode miller will actually get the gold the media says he deserves. and will those reporters ever leave him alone b/c he's not as good as they keep saying he is? watch the swan. gasp as you watch the borders on the half-pipe and realize that they are only 15, 16, 17 years old. listen to the stories. cry as you watch the medal ceremonies. be proud that the world can still come together every four years for this peaceful event. let it give you hope for the every day world we live in. -SN