I meant Michelle K. , of course, just thinking about my sister I think. Freudian slip.

I find it interesting how sports nuts generally don't watch the Olympics but people who aren't much interested in sports watch the Olympics. I've noticed it for many years. Maybe the sports nuts don't watch it because there is too much fluff and not enough meat.

Also, I think part of the reason American TV shows more US athelets than Canadians or Brits shows their own athelets is because we win more metals. We want to see the metalists compete.

Personally I like the human interest stories. I enjoy watching the events when it comes to medal time but I am not that into the luge, for example, that I would want to see the runs of 50 lugers in the preliminary rounds.

I enjoyed the parade of athletes in the opening ceremonies, but sympathized with one of the smaller teams. Their hats looked like someone took three pieces of felt and a glue gun -- and formed a cylinder around a small garbage can. As my spouse said, "What is that on their heads??"

JJ5, I knew who you meant! My heart breaks for her, I can't imagine what she must be going through right now--and on the opposite end of the spectrum is Emily Hughes who must be ecstatic beyond imagination. With all the snow, I hope she makes it out of NY okay and soon so she can get her bearings. Ladies freestyle begins early next week!

Jorr, you make an interesting point--I'm not a sports fantatic but I love the winter games because I love winter sports--I skate and ski and would love to luge, curl and maybe snow board one of these days! Running, high jumping, disk throwing??? not so much.

Although I feel sorry for Ms. Kwan, it would be nice to go through a winter Olympics without some kind of major drama connected to U.S. skaters--Tonya Harding v. Nancy Kerrigan, Ohno and the Koreans (still can't believe he needs 100 security guards when he competes in S Korea!), now this.

I feel terrible for Michelle too. I was really hoping this would be her turn for the gold. :-(

Wishing the best to Emily Hughes.

Hi all--I agree with others that the opening ceremony was a little odd. I did enjoy the skaters with flames on their hats...but I thought it was a little strange to see all the performers/dancers (?) running around in multi-colored ponchos to form the ski jumper.

And the music...no! I'd rather have heard classical music, or other traditional Italian music.

But the games themselves have been great! I also enjoy the human interest stories--it makes it more fun to root for a specific athlete!

Last winter olympics, I watched Eurosports coverage from Rome, and it was focused on all athletes. The NBC coverage is solely focused on Americans and only Americans. We don't get any sports that Americans don't excell in. For god's sake, curling comes on at 3:00 a.m. eastern time! Get a little more worldly!

In NBC's defense, some of the middle of the night coverage is done so it can be seen live.

I like the human interest stories -- sprinkled in when you are covering the Olympics live -- like CBC - BBC -- because you need breaks or to have something between the lulls of competition. NBC's main coverage in the evening is all taped -- condensed so that you get to view the U.S. athlete's and usually the winning medalist run -- and that's it. NBC also is jumping back and forth -- between different events and that makes it hard to feel the drama and excitement that the competition generates.

Watched the US snowboard gals kick butt today -- they were awesome! Look at the fan base at under the Italian sky -- wish I were there -- looks like everyone was enjoying themselves.

Kudos to the men's 500 meters skate -- you just never know what is going to happen in those corners! I love the short-track excitement - relay -- it looks like organized chaos.

The luge track took it's toll on the women participants. It is downright dangerous -- CBC showed females after female wiping out. It takes guts to down after seeing those crashes.

JJ5 - what is the "piazza concept" you mentioned with the holes in the center of the medals? I have not seen an explanation for this design.

The medals looked like CD's to me. :-))

Some human interests stories are terrific, but I recall last Olympics thinking it was beginning to sound like "Queen for a Day"...if anyone remembers that old show!

The Medals were made with a hole in the middle to represent the Italian piazza concept that is a motif throughout. The medal, beginning, ending ceremonies etc. are all in open areas surrounded by circular stands similarly. Some various linear structures but no real walls. The piazza and passion are the themes of Torino.

Modern Italians love to tweak authority-that's about the only thing that is basic Italian in every former city-state location, including Sicily. Like making a round medal, a donut. They don't want to look backwards even a fraction of the time.

I myself want to know minimally about the participant, yes some information- but I don't want his/her life story/biography "Queen for a Day" (exactly) saga -when it is taking time from seeing him/her perform that sport. I watch sports and swam myself. I also think many of the people who watch Olympic competition want it to be a story and similar to a dramatic acted TV show- and don't really get into the sports action as much as I do. I actually leave and do other things when the "story" is on. I could definitely watch 30 luge runs pre-finals. I'd much rather.

You should watch the pairs competition tonight -- a real testament of courage is exhibited by one of the pairs teams. It demostrates that no matter how hurt - or bad the momment -- you don't give up but, dust yourself off, re-group and go out and give it you all! A much deserved standing O toi that special team.

Wow i just watched that, that took real courage to go back on the ice they have my respect, they deserve their silver medal....its such a shame though because on top form they could have contended for gold...

HELLO!!!

Some of us will not see the competition until tonight!!! If you give the Results, you spoil it for the rest of us. Geez.

Let me remind you something from the US figure skating history.

Several years ago Nicole Bobek had an injury and applied to go to the World figure skating championship without competing in US nationals.

The answer was no because the US figure skating association said, and it was there official statement "it would not be fair to the skater who's on the 3rd spot in the National".

Who was that skater? Yes, you've guessed it, Michele K.

This year the rules are opposite. Does she have a hairy hand to push her through or what?

And by the way, the results of the pairs' finals are on the internet now, take a peek if you want. I had :) Won't spoil the watching anyway.

But I came on this thread to post about the opening ceremony, not to seek out results.