snow technicals

After getting criticisms for partying in Turin and two years removed from representing the Republic of Bodeland in the World Cup Circuit, Bode Miller, the reformed character is golden at Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort in Vancouver. His gold medal in Combined (fine, super combined) goes hand in hand with his bronze in Downhill and his silver in Super G. Good job, Bode. You made everyone who dared to believe, ecstatic.

The Winter Olympics is a showcase sports events for the rich countries. Gazing at the medal board, its mostly the Europeans, Canada, USA, three privileged countries in Asia -- Japan, China and South Korea. Snow and ice are the domain of the elite, the ruling class, the G8. Building a bobsleigh, luge and skeleton track or a speed skating track is not top priority in most communities, especially in the third world. Poignantly, so is a regular Track and Field rubberized track. Training to be the supreme skier and skater takes a lot of talent, a lot of time, a lot of money, a lot of work, a lot of injuries just for the ultimate thrill of victory, never mind the agony of defeat. I’m enjoying this version of the Winter Olympics. Too bad I wasn’t able to see Shaun White execute the tomahawk and back to back double cork high up in the air.