Arrivederci, Torino! Grazie!

We’ve said goodbye to the Winter Olympics and sent them off on their next four-year quest to find the young men and women who will entertain and thrill us in Vancouver in 2010. For the first time in my life, it struck me that I have a limited number of Winter Games ahead of me. I hope for at least five more; I have a decent shot at six; but seven might be a stretch. It’s odd to reach a point in life where thoughts like that begin to surface. I certainly have no trouble remembering the last seven Olympics, so thinking that I may or may not see another seven is sobering.

I enjoyed the Torino Olympics but my attention began to wane about half-way through. The athletic ability was stunning; the cast of characters was varied as usual; and the subplots were present as always. But the spirit of it all seemed different; somehow diluted. There was too much talk of doping, prior judging scandals, rules changes, international tensions, nationalism, “dirty” play, loner personalities, ego clashes, pouting and petulance, late-night partying, etc. There were the standard array of background stories on the athletes, but fewer of them moved me because they were told against this off-color background. To the athletes of the world – be careful; don’t become irrelevant by becoming just another reflection of the same things we watch every night on the evening news.

Nonetheless, the Games were worth watching and I will watch them again, at least a few more times. Some parting comments:

Ted Ligety and Julie Mancuso – thank you for salvaging some USA pride on the Alpine slopes.

Michelle Kwan – I admire your willingness to step aside; that took more courage than skating with an injury. You have been a joy to watch and we’re glad to have had you wear our colors. You're a champion.

Sasha Cohen – you were graceful on the ice and in your acceptance of the Silver and in the face of those who continue to doubt if you’ll ever put two good nights together. For that reason, you will undoubtedly put two good nights together.

Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick – you made it clear that someone can have the body of a man, the ego of an adolescent, and still act like a petulant child. It was a little embarrassing to watch the two of you and your medals didn’t make that feeling go away. Good luck with the growing up thing.

Lindsey Jacobellis – we forgive you. All snowboarders are hot doggers; your youthful celebratory stunt just didn’t work out this time. The stunned look on your face told us that you’d learned an instant lesson. So did we.

The Flying Tomato – we loved you, dude. But, somehow, learning that you were a 19-year old multi-millionaire before you got to Italy sucked a little of the fun out of watching you. I begrudge you not one dollar, but we need to lay aside forever any vestigial idea that the Games are about amateur athletics in any way.

All the snowboarders – thanks to all you wackos; I’m glad to have you onboard! Snowboard Cross was awesome.

All the aerialists – you people are crazy! I can imagine doing what a lot of the other athletes do, but I can’t imagine doing what you do. Amazing!

The Congress – thank you for granting 11th hour citizenship to Tanith Belbin.

Tanith Belbin – Canada’s loss is our gain.

Ben Agosto – thank you for patiently waiting on the U.S. Congress.

Apolo Anton Ohno – it was as exciting this time as last time. I’m hoping for a return engagement. If you’re in Vancouver that will be enough to get me tuned in. Please help your friend, Shani, with the growing up thing.

Everyone on the curling team – even though you may be a stone’s throw away from a real sport, we still watched all that silly slipping and sliding, not to mention the fancy broom work.

Bode Miller – dear lord, what do I say here? I hope you find yourself in the New England woods, because you seem to be groping for an identity. You appeared to take yourself way too seriously as you were trying so hard not to take anything seriously. I’m glad to see Bode.com become Bode.gone.

Joey Cheek – you were the Bode antidote. You gave us reason to cheer and to be proud. You gave up $40,000 and it suddenly morphed into $400,000 because people respond to a generous spirit, an Olympic spirit. You deserved to carry the flag in the closing ceremony, because you had been doing so for two weeks. As Bob Costas said, Harvard Medical School needs to reconsider your application.