Sunday, February 28, 2010

Puzzle #56

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I finished this one with the close of the Olympics.

We rarely watch network TV. But every two years we watch the Olympics. My favorite is the winter games and I've decided my favorite event is speed skating of any variety, but especially short track. It's got speed, danger, calculation and strategy. (Amy says it's more fun to watch me watching short track that it is to watch short track itself. I have to make myself breathe.) It's amazing to watch the best athletes. There was one girl either from here or Korea, I don't remember, she was back in fourth place, but I could tell she was good. She was just being patient, watching for a spot to open up so she could make a move to pass those in front of her and sure enough she made her move and won. Then there's Apollo Anton Ohno. One of the most incredible to see, he is one of the best in the world. This was his third Olympics, so he may not be back in four years.

I noticed the best athletes were usually relaxed, focused, poised and confident. This was true of Ohno as well as the U.S. four-man bobsled team and others. They knew what they were capable of doing and just went out and gave it their all. And they weren't cocky about it.

On the sad side, besides the death of the luge athlete and the death of Joannie Rochette's mother, was an interview with Julia Mancuso, a skier whose friend (a skier) and just passed away. Her comments were that she realized that she needed to focus on her skiing because skiing is all there is, what life is all about, basically. My question to her would be, "What are you going to do if/when you can no longer ski?" I need to pray she'll find Jesus.

We enjoyed watching and now let the Olympics withdrawal begin. :)

4 comments:

Mom said...

One of the US bobsled team members is from Neb. Ohno also was unjustly disqualified in one race, but he was a good sport about it unlike the Russian mens figure skater who resented his silver metal.

Mom to Anyone said...

We, too, enjoy indulging in the Olympics when they roll around. I like speed skating a lot, too. I remember liking it as a child. I really enjoyed Shaun White and Evan Lysacek too.

Christine said...

I agree wholeheartedly from loving speed skating to your comment on Julia. And, we too are entering into Olympic withdrawal. On the upside, I now have time to sew.

Polly said...

We too were addicted to the Olympics and getting back to our normal world of no TV seems strange this week. So, we watched the Duggers tonight. ;-)