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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Money talks at the Vancouver Olympics

Flipping through the newspapers this morning, I couldn't believe how many articles I found about money and the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. It seems that people have lost their motivation to succeed for themselves, and that spending, making, and winning money, is central in the Olympics.

Case in point, an Alberta company called Fast Track Group is offering $1 million to any Canadian who wins gold in luge. Luge? Not hockey, not skiing, not figure skating...luge. The company will award the Canadian Luge Association $500,000 and give the other half to the winning luger.

And then there was an article about Own The Podium, Canada's funding program to support athletes in hopes of winning more medals for the nation at the Olympic Games. The program costs tax payers $66 million over 5-years, and this program, which is losing a portion of its money following the Games in Canada, is asking for another $22 million from the government.

I'll go on. We also have the budget for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. In a recent poll, most Canadians said they thought the games would lose money. They're probably right considering the Vancouver officials are paying $1000 per truck load of snow to stock all of Cypress Mountain, and who knows how much for the helicopter loads of snow being flown in.

And then we have the fact that this is the first Olympic Games that the Canadian Olympic Committee is rewarding medal winners with cash. $20,000 for a gold, $15,000 for a silver, and $10,000 for a bronze. I'll take one of each please.

Finally, it comes down to sponsorship. I'm not talking about Coke, or Nike. I'm talking about the fact that an amazing organization, Right to Play, was told they were not welcome at the Olympic Games because their sponsors conflicted with current Olympic Games sponsors. In case you don't know about Right to Play, they bring sport to children in areas struck by poverty, war, and disease. Just the kind of dirty organization that we should keep away from a sporting event right VANOC?

Money really does talk these days. It's unfortunate that the Olympic Games, an event that was once the world's greatest display of amateur sport, is becoming such a professional and commercial venture.

Let the games begin.

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Womens Olympic Hockey Preview: Canada vs USA

Before you quickly answer Canada, take time to consider a few facts. First, the women from the United States are back-to-back reigning world champions. The team they beat? Canada.

What about pre-Olympic games between the two teams. Canada? Nope, actually the teams went back in forth in international and friendly games.

And then we have to have the discussion about Olympic Gold medals. Yes, the Americans have one of those too from 1998 in Nagano.

Believe it or not sports fans, the Canadian women may not be the favourite to win the Olympic Games in Vancouver. Team Canada has been hot lately, and with the backing of the Vancouver crowd, they should never be counted out.

What I’m saying is, this is no sure thing. It is a sure thing that either Canada or the USA will win gold. Countries such as Sweden, Finland, and China, are still the pimple faced little cousins in the Women’s hockey world.

Believe it or not, Russia is one of the worst countries in the Olympics in women’s hockey (but you can bet they’ll be better for Sochi in 2014).

Canadian stars such as Haley Wickenheiser, Jayna Hefford, Jennifer Botterill, Charline Labonte, and Meghan Agosta are the best in the game, but the Americans have the best developmental league in the NCAA. This means that a new group of young, fast, skilled Americans are here, and ready to take on the world.

American stars including Angela Ruggiero and Jenny Potter will give the Canadians all they can handle...and possibly more.

Who will win gold in women’s hockey at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver? We’ll find out soon enough. Just don’t go betting all your chips on Canada. This race is closer than you think.

Let the games begin.

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No snow for the Winter Olympics

I guess no one thought this was possible. The idea that a Winter Olympics venue would be chosen that wouldn't have snow. I guess no one on the IOC has ever been to Vancouver.

Vancouver has been looking a little too green for Olympic planners lately. In fact, there is a drastic lack of snow across the major Olympic venues and snow is franticly being made and trucked into the Vancouver area as we approach the opening ceremonies this Friday.

How this seems strange to anyone is beyond me. The average low temperature in February is above freezing in Vancouver. No snow? Really? Vancouver is known for having a temperate climate and a small amount of snow each year.

Thankfully many of the large snow events are being held at Whistler where they have enough snow...barely.

The main venue hurt by the climate is Cypress Mountain, the site of Olympic snowboarding and freestyle skiing.

I have to wonder how much trucking in tons upon tons of snow will cost. The VANOC budget is likely to go out the window with this added expense.

And please keep your Global Warming arguements to yourself, this is what the climate in Vancouver is always like. Just because it's Canada doesn't mean it is covered by 10 feet of snow. In fact, I live on the opposite side of Canada and I can see green grass growing outside my window while I hear my neighbors to the south in Washington and Philadelphia have not been so lucky lately.

No snow for the Winter Olympics? No problem. The Vancouver Olympic games are still going to be outstanding and the VANOC will assure that Cypress Mountain has snow, regardless of the cost.

Let the games begin.

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Olympic Mens Hockey Preview

We're less than a week from the opening of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. One of the biggest question marks entering the games is who will walk away with Olympic gold in mens ice hockey. Here is a brief look at each team in the order I predict them to finish:

Gold Medal - Canada - Anything less than gold for the Canadian team and Steve Yzerman is unacceptable. Sidney Crosby has been dynamite lately and will be expected to lead this star studded lineup. Roberto Luongo should start in net, however, Canada has always been sentimental when it comes to legendary athletes and may choose to start Martin Brodeur. Luongo is the better goaltender and will receive huge backing from his home crowd in Vancouver.

Silver Medal - Sweden - I wouldn't expect Tre Kroner, reigning Olympic champions to go quietly into the night. This team is solid from top to bottom lead by Detroit Red Wings Niclas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterburg. One compelling story to follow is how Peter Forsberg performs. After making his return this season in the Swedish Elite League with Modo, Forsberg was chosen for his leadership and ability to change games. Watch for a last minute decision on Johan Franzen who was initially left of the Swedish roster but is apparently healthy. Don't count the Swedes out of the gold yet.

Bronze Medal - Russia - There is too much firepower on the Russian lineup to ignore. Fueled by Ilya Kovalchuk, Pavel Datsyuk, and Evgeni Malkin, the Russians could easily catapult into the Gold or Silver position, but could also flop and fall far from medal contention. I say this because the Russians were pressured to include a percentage of KHL players. The players, although solid, are not at the elite level of other nations' NHL players.

4th - USA - The United States will be a young and fun team to watch. I almost feel like they could be a surprise "Miracle" team. In the short tournament format, their young and dynamic lineup could flourish. Their fate rests upon young scorers such as Patrick Kane, and how well goaltender Ryan Miller plays. Recent injuries on the blueline likely won't impact the teams overall outcome.

5th - Finland - Goaltending, goaltending, and goaltending. Whether they start Niclas Backstrom or Mikka Kiprusof, this team will live or die between the pipes. Last Olympics, hot goaltending carried the team. With an aging forward corps led by Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu, the Finns will struggle to score and likely won't medal.

6th - Slovakia - I wish I could be more optimistic about the Slovaks, but they likely aren't deep enough. That said, this team could again surprise the international hockey world. Led by stars Zdeno Chara, Marian Hossa, and Marian Gaborik, and poised to enter with one of the NHLs hottest goalies Jaroslav Halak, the Slovaks could beat any team in a 60-minute game. Likely not in the medal hunt, watch for the Slovaks to win an upset or two.

7th - Switzerland - I like the Swiss team, I like their systems, and I firmly believe this is one hockey nation that is moments away from joining the "Big 7." Starring Mark Streit and Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller, this team could wreak havoc in Vancouver.

8th - Czech Republic - You might be surprised to see the Czech's this far down my list. I don't think they have the gusto anymore. Without a dominate Dominik Hasek in net, they are not the same team. There are too many unknowns on this lineup. That being said, if Jaromir Jagr is the same man we knew 4 years ago, and Thomas Vokoun can fend off the high powered attacks of opposing forwards, the sky is the limit.

The rest - After the top eight, the pickings get slim. I would expect the order of the remainder of the field to go something like this: 9. Belarus 10. Germany 11. Latvia, and 12. Norway.

What do you think?

Let the games begin.

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No Jamaican bobsled team at Olympics

Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, get on up, it's bobsled time.

Well actually, this time around at Vancouver 2010, there will be no memorable appearance by the Jamaican bobsled team. The preliminary list of national bobsled teams that will compete in the Vancouver Olympic Games did not include Jamaica when it was released.

During the last winter Olympics on Canadian soil, the Jamaican bobsled team gained noteriety by qualifying and competing in the Calgary 1988 Olympics.

Inspired by their appearance at the Calgary Games, the movie "Cool Runnings" was created. As one of the best sports movies in decades, "Cool Runnings" became a cult classic and continues to inspire fans from across the globe to cheer for the Jamaican bobsled team.

Jamaica, a tropical country not known for winter sports, has never been a factor at the Winter Olympics, but has produced an unnatural number of world class sprinters and athletes in summer sports, including the legendary Usain Bolt.

It would have been nice to hear some reggae music at this year's Olympic Games, but I guess we will have to wait for the 2014 Games in Sochi to see if the Jamaican bobsled team can again win the hearts of sports fans.

Until then, I leave you with the famous words of John Candy, who played Irv, the coach of the Jamaican bobsled team in "Cool Runnings:"

Our Father, who art in Calgary, Bobsled be thy name. Thy kingdom come, gold medals won, on Earth as it is in Turn Seven. With Liberty and Justice for Jamaica and Hail Selassie. Amen.

See you in 2014 Jamaica.

Let the games begin.

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Canada gives up on Olympic athletes

Millions and millions of dollars have been sunk into numberous Canadian athletic programs in the past years in order to help Canada make it to the podium in the upcoming 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.

At Vancouer 2010, Canada is a favorite to lead the medal count, but this will not be the case during the next Olympic Games.

Only days before the Olympic Games in Vancouver commence, Canadian Sport officials have told 37 of their top athletic trainers, strength coaches, physicians, and nutritionists, that they will be out of a job as of April 1.

Well, after years of gains in the international sporting world, I guess the 2010 Olympic Games are a one stop chance for Canadian athletes to succeed before the money disappears.

It appears Canadian officials were out for public success at the games, and didn't care about Canadian athletes after all.

Since 2005, the Canadian Olympic program pegged "Own the Podium," has provided athletes with more than $110 million worth of financial support.

I guess officials refused to not win a gold medal on home soil for the third consecutive time, after serving as the only country never to win a gold on their home soil for years. Who cares about the next Olympic Games, or the World Championships, or any other international event right?

Let's only try when the Olympic Games are in our own country. Ridiculous. Officials need to keep the trainers, coaches, and support staff in place. Without funding for these personel, most athletes, who survive off tiny sponsorships, would not be able to utilize these training services.

Go for gold Canada, and Canadians better dominate the podium this year. After all, coming April 1, Canadian athletes will lose the support and coaching that has made them successful in recent years. If you're a Canadian athlete, you should start praying for another Olympic Games on Canadian soil in the near future. Or you should start writing your Member of Parliament angry letters, whatever works best for you.

Let the games begin.

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