Snowboarder Scott Lago banished from Olympics

It only took one snapshot instant. After a few questionable pictures of snowboarder, and Olympic bronze medalist in the half pipe, Scott Lago hit the internet, he was asked to leave the Olympic Games by US officials.

I say, good for them. Before the summer games in Beijing, the United States Olympic committee created an etiquette program for all Olympic athletes. The goal of the program was to minimize negative press, to show respect for the cultures of host nations, and to boost the USA image internationally.

In the pictures, an unamed female was seen biting Scott Lago's medal which was located in the crotch of Lago's pants. The suggestive pictures were enough for the USOC to conclude Lago had violated their etiquette program. Lago apologized for the incident, and was shipped home.

The United States sent a message to their athletes, and to the world, that they are trying to change the image that many American's have in the media. The question still begs though, what was Lago thinking? In the digital era, any photo taken, especially when you are a celebrity, is bound to be exposed. Just ask Michael Phelps about his pot smoking pictures.

Either way, Scott Lago has now learned his lesson and will now be watching the remainder of the Olympic Games from his couch at home instead of being treated like a hero in the Olympic Village. Sure it was a simple mistake, but these athletes need to exemplify respect and professionalism when they are in public.

Snowboarding is a sport that already stuggles with image issues in the general public, as does the United States on a world scale. Fortunately, the US officials dealt with Scott Lago quickly and decisively and showed that his behaviour is not acceptable for an Olympic athlete; especially a medalist.

Let the games begin.

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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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Canada's Maelle Ricker wins Snowboard Cross Gold

Shortly after winning the first gold medal on Canadian soil, the host nation received another gift at the Olympic Games. Snowboard cross gold went to Canada's Maelle Ricker.

Ricker, the World's top ranked female boarder heading into the Games delivered for Canada. Maelle Ricker was able to beat long time rival Lindsey Jacobellis of the USA who missed a gate in the semi-finals.

Canadians watched the country's first gold medal of the games go to moguls skier Alexandre Bilodeau on day 3 of the Olympics. Today, Canadian's are celebrating again and realizing the benefit of the 'Own the Podium' program which pumped millions into Canadian athletics in preparation for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Even sweeter for Ricker, is that she won Gold in her home city. Ricker who is 31, was born in North Vancouver, British Columbia.

In a fall filled snowboard cross, Maelle Ricker was able to avoid the many crashes of the event, which has proven to be a fan favourite. Now, she is Canada's golden girl and will forever hold the distinction of being the first Canadian woman to win a gold medal on home soil.

Let the Games Begin.

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What the Olympics mean to the World

After months and months of predictions, hype, and speculation, the Winter Olympics are finally here. Although the Olympic Games started on a sour note, with the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Winter Olympics in Vancouver promise better things to come.

In fact, the Olympics in general are a sign of world togetherness you don't often see. Where else would you see the USA standing beside Iran and North Korea? These countries aren't competing against each other out of hate; rather, they're competing in peace and sport.

The Olympic Games are unifying for all people. It's a chance for us to forget the wars we fight, the terror in our world, and to focus on a sense of togetherness that is often overlooked.

Starting with the spectacular and theatrical opening ceremonies and the lighting of the torch by hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, the Winter Olympics utlilize one of our planets greatest common grounds, sport, to bring people together...even if it is only for a few weeks.

Sure nations compete against each other, battle on the playing field, and will push, pull, and claw their way to a place on the podium; but athletes from countries at war, countries who are political adversaries, show respect and sportsmanship to each other during the Olympics.

97 nations are competing at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. 97 countries in one peaceful place for sport. I've heard people argue over and over that sports are just games, that people take athletics too seriously, and that athletics are not important.

Looking at the Olympic Games, it's obvious they are wrong. Sports can mean so much more, they can bring unity and peace. They can bring hope and inspiration. From the moment the torch is lit, to the moment the last medal is awarded, the Olympic Games are a tie that bonds all of humanity through sport.

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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