For the Olympicphiles among us...

[SidDithers]

live stream of the Olympic Torch Relay here:
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/torch/follow-torch/index.html

Not a speck of snow to be seen as the torch goes through Vancouver's Stanley Park.

Sid

[T Wolf]

1. Does ANYONE still pay attention to the white olympics anymore? Winter sports are the

playground of the elite in society and the winter olympics simply celebrate that fact. The fact that most of the world's "undesirables" have no part in them is simply a bonus for the privileged.

[truebrit71]

2. Um..yes..I do..in fact I prefer them to the Summer games...

...

[nickinSTL]

3. give me a break

it's not about privilege

fact is, most winter sports aren't easy to play/prepare for in most of Africa, south/southeast Asia, South America - that's a matter of geography, not racism

If you choose to ignore the winter olympics because you don't like them, that's your business - but don't presume that those of us who like competitive skiing or other winter sports are racist

:eyes:

[SidDithers]

4. Wow. Northern climates have white people...

how insightful.

Sid

[MiniMe]

5. I believe that the Jamaican Bobsled team was quite popular

Not because they were black, but because they were from a country that got no snow. You must admit that thinking about snow and Jamaica don't really go together. It wasn't the color of the skin, but where did they practice?

[w8liftinglady]

6. If you take the time to learn the Olympic ahthletes,you'll see diversity

especially since the countries represented are historically cold countries in the winter.FWIW,I am an Olympic weightlifter,so I watch the summer olympics more,but I never associated the winter olympics as fluff sports for the rich.They require a high degree of athleticism and dedication that is rare among the priveledged.
http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-athletes/index_cf-p1-Pi.html?

[T Wolf]

7. The actual olympic athletes are indeed skillful. I was commenting on the audience AND the types

of people who dominate the slopes, etc. around the world.

Most normal people cannot afford thousands of dollars for ski equipment and lift tickets and weekends at snow resorts. Winter sports are the playground for the wealthy - it's as simple as that.

The fact that the overwhelming majority of ski, etc. enthusiasts are white is a bonus for that group. It's more a matter of recreating away from the poor.

[-wulf-]

8. I doubt it

but then again, perhaps racism and privilege really are the driving forces behind everything.


Then again, it could all just be in your head.

[w8liftinglady]

9. I just really find that an unfair generalization.I thought we were above that.

I guess not.

[Bluebear]

12. So what is wrong with white sports enthusiasts?

[Paul_D]

17. Or not...

Thanks for pointing out that although my family had very little money I was able to be on skis before I could walk properly. I then managed to ski and participate in winter sports till I joined the Army at 19. I never had new equipment, always used - 2 or 3 years old and never had any problems keeping up with the ski team throughout high school. I worked at the local area and got all the winter sports I could handle. Now I realize I was just 'recreating away from the poor'. Or, could it be that most of the population of areas that have a large amount of ski areas are white?

[Rebubula]

11. wow...

...interesting take on this.

As if White and Black are the only 'races' on the planet.

Your post is beyond dumb....

[Bluebear]

14. +1

[phasma ex machina]

10. Thanks for sharing this positive development.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) sells itself short by sticking to an obsolete "one size fits all" broadcast model. Why not give each venue multiple cams streaming 24X7? Enable Curling fans to watch until they drop.

[DiverDave]

13. I enjoy the downhill

and grand slalom.

Franz Klaamer in 76? dude could ski, just a wild man.
Thats what I like to see.
Eric Hyden (sp?) wanted to skate the luge run in Lake Placid, THAT I would watch...another wild man.

Never thought I was a racists tho, I gotta mull that one over...

[Hell Hath No Fury]

16. Franz's gold medal run --

The man was on the edge of being out of control the entire run down the hill! He had more airtime during that run than I have ever seen in a downhill:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYj9kIxAL_o

Eric Hayden -- true story -- I was visiting my friend who was hospitalized in Sacramento years ago and the doctor who came in to treat her was -- Eric Hayden! I just sat there with my mouth open as he introduced himself to me. My friend had no idea who he was other than a nice doctor who had helped her out. :D

[DiverDave]

19. That is cool!

I really wanted to see him skate that.
And Klaamer was the bomb, I still enjoy seeing that clip.
Wild man.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

15. I am soooo excited!

I am a hardcore Olympicphiles who plans her life every two years around the games. During the summer games in Australia I actually took my vacation to watch then with my Mom. :D

I was watching news reports last night about them having to truck snow in to venue from mountains three hours away. :( This is going to be very very interesting to see how the weather effects performance.

I have my snacks all set for opening ceramonies tonight.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. Well, I wouldn't normally expect snow in Stanley Park.

But yeah, it's been awfully warm.