The Winter Olympics begin this week hosted by the United States in beautiful and cold Salt Lake City. I doubt I'll watch five minutes of the events, unlike the summer Olympic games which feature many events I can understand and enjoy. The winter games are a different creature.
I know nothing about the luge or the biathlon or hockey for that matter. The problem is the winter games are just that - winter events where snow and ice are required. I have spent a lifetime shunning snow and ice. I most certainly don't plan on changing that anytime soon.
Trying to be a true American and semi-avid sports fan, I read an extensive article this week on each upcoming Olympic event and predictions on the winners. If you're keeping score, brush up on your German and Russian. Only in figure skating are Americans favored and then only because the writer was American, if the truth were known. The remaining events feature a host of unrecognizable athletes who will never become household names.
I have said countless times that I am not a fan of hockey. I don't understand the game because it is played in cold climates and I grew up here. Since I don't understand the game, I have no interest. Same can actually be said about every winter Olympic event and that does little for the viewership.
Interestingly, when showing highlights of past Olympics - outside of figure skating - the single American highlight is the 1980 hockey upset by the Americans over the powerful Russians. In other words, it's been a bit of a dry spell for the home team in the Olympics if that home team is the USA.
From baseball to track and field, basketball to boxing, I can understand the summer games. But I lack the insight into the two-man bobsled and I'm just too darned old to learn.
I wish the athletes the best of luck and I pray for a safe and secure Olympic event. But unless something drastic happens, watching the winter games is about as exciting as watching paint dry. And besides, there's a Clint Eastwood rerun on somewhere and believe me, I can understand Clint better than the winter games.
Make my day!