By A.j. Reed
Western Herald
The Winter Olympics have never been as big a spectacle as the summer games, and with the massive positive impact of the 2008 Summer Olympics, it’s hard to imagine that this year’s Winter Olympics will be any different.
There are, however, some things about this year’s games that make them worth watching. Here are the top three reasons why people should keep their televisions tuned to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
1.) Curling
Curling is a sport that wouldn’t be watched by most people if it was on every Saturday and Sunday; however, when it’s on once every four years, there is something about it that is irresistible. Since it is such an unusual sport – combining shuffleboard, ice, brooms, and a lot of yelling – many people can’t seem to change the channel.
2.) Shaun White
Shaun White just recently won X-Games gold in the superpipe competition and he looks do the same at this year’s Winter Olympics. His weapon of choice: the Double McTwist 1260.
The Double McTwist 1260 is by far one of the most dangerous tricks in extreme sport athletics. It consists of going 15 to 20 feet in the air and then doing two complete flips while rotating three and a half times. This trick adds half a spin to the Double-Cork 1080, the trick that almost all of the other contestants will bring to this year’s Olympics.
Each time White attempts the trick, you never know if he’s going to be coming back in one piece. In a practice run of this year’s X-Games, he slammed his chin on the lip of the half pipe causing his helmet to fly off his head.
White was able to walk away under his own power but it just goes to show what could happen if this trick goes horribly wrong. One thing is for sure – if White does land the Double McTwist 1260 during the upcoming Olympics, he can almost guarantee himself another gold medal.
3.) Colbert Nation
Colbert Nation. The Winter Olympics. Many of you may be wondering what these two things have in common. It turns out that they are more connected than you think.
“The Colbert Report” is the primary sponsor of this year’s U.S. Speedskating team. Comedy Central’s popular TV show isn’t paying the team directly but is instead having fans and viewers donate to the team through its Web site, ColbertNation.com or USSpeedSkating.org.
DSB Bank was the original sponsor of the team but was forced to drop-out once it declared bankruptcy in October and couldn’t make the $300,000 it had promised. However, The Colbert Nation has stepped up to the plate in a big way, raising over $200,000 in its first week of accepting donations.
Many of the members of this year’s team have already switched to wearing the Colbert Nation logo on their skullcap and along their leg. Stephen Colbert has also talked about bringing the broadcast of his show to Vancouver so he can cover the games. With “The Colbert Report” involved in this year’s Winter Olympics, there is no doubt that Stephen Colbert will make it much more interesting.
Like all Olympic games this year’s will likely have its ups and downs. Some days will be more interesting than others but different storylines are bound to pop-up and draw the country’s attention. Just make sure you are there to witness the exciting events that are bound happen.
