Top Five Olympic stories so far

The Vancouver Olympics have been like a roller coaster thus far. Athletes and fans have experienced a number of highs and lows through the first week of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Here are the top five stories of the first week:

1. Death of Georgian luger - It was the wrong foot to start the Vancouver Games on, but the tragic death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili is the top story of the Games. The safety and planning of the luge track has come into question over the last week and is still under investigation. Kumaritashvili, who was 21, died in a training run crash on Day 1 of the Olympics.

2. Bad weather - It has rained, rained some more, been too warm, and then rained. Weather postponed almost every ski event early in the Games and forced VANOC officials to return roughly 28,000 tickets to fans. As well, the slopes at Cypress Mountain are still being stocked with snow that is being trucked in from hundreds of miles away.

3. Canada's first Gold - Entering the Vancouver Games, Canada stood as the only country to ever host an Olympic Games, without winning a gold medal on home soil. In fact, Canada hosted twice, once in Montreal 1976 and again in Calgary 1988. Moguls skier Alexandre Bilodeau won Canada's first ever gold medal on home soil on Day 3 of the games. Since then, Canada has added another gold medal from snowboarder Maelle Ricker.

4. Hockey blow outs - The only story surrounding hockey in the media, is whether or not it will continue to be an Olympic sport. The world competition has fallen off drastically over the last decade, specifically in the womens game. Many games have been won by 10 or more goals. In womens hockey, Canada destroyed opponents 18-0, 10-1, and 13-1 in round robin play. Without legitimate competition coming from nations not named Canada or the United States, the IOC might pull the plug on Olympic Hockey.

5. American athletes - Skier Lindsey Vonn and snowboarder Shaun White can't seem to escape the media at the Vancouver Games. Nor do these two outgoing athletes wan't to. Lindsey Vonn, who posed in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition and won an early Gold Medal in downhill skiing, is a media dream for her good looks and athletic abiliy. The charismatic Shaun White dominated in the snowboard half pipe showing why he is the Games' biggest star.

Let the games begin.

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Lindsey Vonn looks better in a snowsuit

It might sound strange, especially coming from a man, but Lindsey Vonn looks better in a snowsuit than she does in a swimsuit. Well, I guess it isn't a snowsuit, but she looks better dressed in ski gear, than flaunting herself in a magazine.

After suffering a pre-Olympic injury, Vonn battled a sore shin, and her critics, to take home a Gold Medal in Womens downhill skiing.

Many sports fans have argued over the last few weeks that Vonn has tarnished her sporting image by sexualizing herself in mens magazines. Lindsey Vonn seems determined to prove that she can be a fierce competitor and a sex symbol at the same time.

In a perfect world, Vonn would be popular, receive endorsements, and gain public respect for her skiing alone; however, participating in a sport like alpine skiing, where your salary is typically between tiny and none, Lindsey Vonn has stood out from the crowd. Last year, Vonn's reported income was a little over $3 million.

Not bad for a downhill skier.

Sadly, if Vonn wasn't attractive, she wouldn't be rich. This is the society we live in. Luckily for Vonn, she can deflect every insulting comment, every smack from the media, and every questionable photograph with her Olympic Gold Medal.

Personally, I think Lindsey Vonn looks better in her ski gear. She is an athlete, yes, a female athlete, but a fierce competitor, and an extremely talented alpine skier. We should celebrate her for her ability on the slopes, not for her appearance in a swimsuit.

Next Olympics, here's to hoping Lindsey Vonn keeps her clothes on and continues to knock the socks off the competition.

Let the games begin.

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Olympic Sized Injuries for Vonn and Getzlaf

Only days before the Olympic Games get underway in Vancouver, injuries are even more detrimental to athletes and nations. Medal hopes, and even the hopes of participation can be erased in a second.

From Canada, NHL star Ryan Getzlaf was recently seen in a walking cast in Anaheim. Philadelphia Flyers center Jeff Carter has been invited to Vancouver as an emergency replacement in case Getzlaf can't play.

One of the bigger injury stories making its way through the media is the bruised shin of American skier Lindsey Vonn. Vonn, a heavy favorite to win multiple medals at the Vancouver Games bruised her shin at a training session in Austria.

Other countries are feeling similar pressures as the games creep closer. Injuries are especially a concern with the NHL players participating in the games. As well, the weather conditions have many skiers concerned about utlizing the practice facilities at Whistler and Cypress Mountain in the days leading up to the Games. Poor snow conditions increase the chance of catching an edge or hitting a rut during practice runs.

Vonn, who made headlines after completing a photo shoot for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, implied that her "bruise" might actually be a slight shin fracture. If she were to miss the Games, or even participate injured, it would be a huge blow to the United States' medal hopes.

Approaching the Olympics, you have to hope that the best athletes will be able to compete. That is what the Olympics are about, highlighting the world's top athletes and allowing them to compete for Gold.

Let the games begin.

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