After Olympic shun, McKeever wins gold

Winning a gold medal in the Paralympics 20-km cross country event must be a bitter sweet moment for Brian McKeever. As a visually impaired athlete, McKeever was only hours away from skiing for his country in the Olympic Games, when he was told by his coach he would not be competing.

Less than a month later, McKeever stands atop the world at the Paralympics after winning Canada's first ever Paralympic gold medal on home soil.

It isn't all smiles and congratulations for McKeever, he still has a foul taste in his mouth from the Vancouver Winter Olympics and a goal in his mind for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

What is sad about this, is the media coverage surrounding McKeever is not for his amazing accomplishment in the Paralympics, it is because he was shunned at the Olympic Games.

McKeever is the kind of athlete children should be looking up to. He aspires to be the best, and in fact, is the best in his sport. Brian McKeever's gold medal at the 2010 Paralympics shouldn't be thought of as second rate; his first Paralympic gold on home soil is every bit as important as the Olympic Gold won by Alexandre Bilodeau.

I wouldn't count McKeever out just yet. If you know anything about the Paralympics, you'll understand that overcoming odds is just a part of the business. For McKeever, despite his visual impairment, the 2014 Olympic Games are still very much in sight.

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I have Olympic Games withdrawl

Pressing the recall button on my remote control tonight had a strange effect. First, I saw the evening news. Recall. Then it was an ESPN film? What the heck? Where were the Olympics?

Yes, I watched the closing ceremonies just like everyone else. I realize the Games are over. But now, I was forced to do something I hadn't done for two weeks. I had to press the "Guide" button, and explore what else was on TV.

No skiing, no bobsleigh, no curling, no speed skating. What a rip off. NBA basketball seemed like a cheesy participation ribbon. It seemed like TSN was sending me a message saying, "thanks for tuning in, unfortunately, this is all we have for you."

The Vancouver Olympics were a truly great event and displayed the outstanding power of sport. 14 gold medals were won by Canada, more than any nation in the history of the Winter Olympics. More importantly, millions went back to work following the closing ceremonies feeling refreshed, proud, and excited.

Don't worry sports fans, there are a few things for us to look forward to. We have March Madness, the Stanley Cup playoffs, and the World Cup of Soccer. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait a few years before the Olympics re-appear and much longer before we are able to experience another Olympic Games on Canadian soil.

It was good while it lasted, I just wish it had lasted longer.

Let the games begin.

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Canada wins hockey gold

I'll keep this one short and sweet. In epic style, the Canadian men's hockey team captured Olympic Gold in overtime. Sidney Crosby scored the clinching goal winning it for the host nation.

This gold gave Canada 14 for the Vancouver Winter Olympics, setting the all-time record for most gold medals in one Olympic Games by any nation.

The Game was an outstanding battle between American netminder Ryan Miller and Canadian goalie Roberto Luongo.

I'm sure the streets of Vancouver and many cities across Canada will be rocking until the early hours of the morning.

This USA vs Canada game will easily go down as one of the most watched, most talked about, and most memorable sporting moments in history.

I am proud to be Canadian, for our hockey golds, 14 gold medals total, and for the outstanding Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Let the games begin.

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Canada sets host nation gold record

The host nation might not have "Owned the Podium" in overall medals, but Canada owned the most important medal count: GOLD.

Canada set the record for most gold medals by a host nation with 13, surpassing the former record shared by the USA and Norway with 10. Canada won gold medals in curling, bobsleigh, skeleton, moguls, ski cross, ice dancing, hockey, snowboard slalom, snowboard cross, short track speed skating, and long track speed skating at the Vancouver Olympics.

Thinking back to the criticism of other nations and from the Canadian Olympic Committee itself, it all seems irrelevant now. Canada did "Own the Podium" at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

More importantly, as is being shown in montage after video montage, Canada exhibited the nation's unique personality. The friendliness, respect, fair play, and kindness. From Jon Montgomery's memorable skeleton gold and celebration, to the on-ice party that commenced following the Canadian womens hockey gold, Canadians have acted as expected.

They have won gold medals, showed dedication through adversity, exhibited sportsmanship, and had fun. On the closing day of the Vancouver Winter Olympics, the host nation is celebrating great success in all facets of the Olympics.

Thank you Vancouver and Canada for hosting such an outstanding and memorable Winter Olympics.

Let the games begin.

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Joannie Rochette wins Terry Fox Award

Awarded for determination, and pushing on regardless of the obstacles an athlete faces, Joannie Rochette was the co-recipient of this year's Terry Fox Award.

Along with Slovenian cross country skier Petra Majdic, Rochette was given the Award aftering winning a bronze medal in figure skating, only days after her mother, Theresa Rochette, tragically passed away.

Majdic, who won a bronze medal in cross-country skiing, competed after falling 9-feet (3 metres) into a rocky pit during a training run. During the fall, Petra Majdic broke multiple ribs, and still managed to compete.

Rochette, shocked the sporting world by putting together two memorable performances to capture a bronze in womens figure skating. Although Petra Majdic should not be overlooked in this story, Joannie Rochette is definitely one of the Vancouver Olympic Games' most compelling stories.

Her ability to overcome what looked like impossible odds to compete, let alone win a medal, was absolutely amazing.

Canadians have experienced more gold medals, and more medals total in the Vancouver Olympics than ever before, but Joannie Rochette's bronze will be remembered long after many gold medal winners are only names in a record book.

Joannie Rochette was well deserving of this honour, which was named for one of Canada's bravest and most determined athletes.

Let the games begin.

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Give the Canadian Women a break

It's a double standard. The media backlash that has chased Canada's Womens Hockey team after their post gold medal, on-ice celebration is overblown and unnecessary.

The Team Canada women were seen on-ice drinking beer and smoking cigars following their Gold Medal 2-0 victory over the USA. Yes, the women should have kept their celebrations in the dressing room, but nothing they did was outrageous.

Look at every single Stanley Cup celebration. The boys are seen smoking cigars, drinking beer and champagne, and partying like there is no tomorrow. The same goes for any major sport. And if we want to debate the moral actions of the Olympic athletes partying in the Olympic Village, we can. The Olympic Village is known for sex, drugs, and alcohol.

What these Canadian women did was harmless. They did not hurt anyone, they did not do this for the media, they did not damage the image of the Olympic Games. Led by Haley Irwin, Meghan Agosta, and others, the Canadians were having innocent fun.

All they did was celebrate a hard fought victory. They celebrated committment, effort, dedication, and the realization of a dream. Beer and cigars? That doesn't seem outrageous.

In fact, watching the girls on ice together, looking at the pictures, the comradery and togetherness of the Canadian team is apparent and refreshing. Nothing they did was illegal. Think of it this way, only hours before, children were exposed to drunken debauchery and foul language of innebriated Canadian and American fans in the stands. These women played the game with class and deserve their moment to celebrate.

Team Canada was celebrating in front of an empty arena. No fans or children remained and only a small handful of media were present. The media needs to give these girls a break. If this were a party following the men's final, it would be accepted and likely praised.

Way to go Canada, you deserved every moment of your celebration.

Let the games begin.

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Charles Hamelin finally gets his gold(s)

After missing out on a gold medal earlier in the games, Charles Hamelin finally got his gold(s).

The Canadian from Montreal, Quebec, narrowly missed a medal in the 1000m short track speed skating event early in the Olympics after leading for much of the race.

In the 500m however, Hamelin could not be denied. Hamelin's medal was Canada's first in 500m short track speed skating since 2002. Later in the evening, Hamelin won his second gold medal of the night in the short track speed skating relay.

Hamelins medals were also important to the host nation because of the significance toward their gold medal count. Nearing the end of the Vancouver WInter Olympics, Canada is in a heated battle with Germany, Norway, and the USA for the most gold medals in the Games.

Hamelins gold medal winning relay team also included brother Francois Hamelin, Olivier Jean, Francois-Louis Trembley, and Guillaume Bastille.

With a late push, Canada could potentially beat the nation's previous record of 24 medals in the Winter Olympics.

Congratulations to Charles Hamelin and the rest of the mens speed skating team for winning Canada's 9th and 10th gold medals of the Vancouver Olympic Games.

Let the games begin.

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Own the Podium is already a success

Let's put all the critics to rest right now. Canada's 'Own the Podium' program has been a success already.

It's true, Canada will not win the overall medal count at this Olympic Games, but relative to past Olympic Games, particularly those on Canadian soil, Canada has done extremely well.

Canada is tied for the lead in Gold medals and has several opportunities to add to that number including in curling, hockey, and speed skating.

For the head of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Chris Rudge, to come out and say that the 'Own the Podium' program was a failure, is wrong. Look at our success stories. Athletes such as Jon Montgomery and the bobsleigh team of Kallie Humphries and Heather Moyse might never have captured gold at the Olympic Games without 'Own the Podium'.

Canada sunk $117 million into athletics. Was it money wasted? I don't think so. The problem with the program was the unrealistic goals and the outrageous pressure they placed on Canadian athletes. If Canada continuosly funded athletics, not just in the few years leading up to a home Olympics, we truly would 'Own the Podium' everywhere we went.

Canada is Owning the Podium and Canadians should be proud of the dedicated athletes who are working hard to bring pride to their country. Remember, before these Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada had never won an Olympic Gold Medal on home soil. When the Vancouver Games come to a close, Canada will likely have more than 10 gold medals. That is what I call 'Owning the Podium'.

Let the games begin.

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Stop blaming Sven Kramer's coach

After Sven Kramer lost a gold medal due to his disqualification from a lane violation in 10,000m long track speed skating, all fingers instantly pointed at his coach Gerard Kemkers.

As Kramer headed for a corner, Kemkers yelled from the sidelines "inside lane" despite the fact Sven Kramer should have remained in the outside lane.

Kramer crossed the finish line well ahead of second place skater Lee Seung-Hoon, but was disqualified for his lane violation.

Everyone, media, fans in the Netherlands, and those in the skating community are pointing fingers at Sven Kramer's coach Gerard Kemkers. Personally, I think this is utterly ridiculous. Kemkers did not reach out and push Kramer into the wrong lane. Kramer is an athlete at the top of his sport, likely the best in the world. His mistake is his and his alone.

If a slalom coach yells to miss a turn, or if a hockey coach yells to go offside, the player would not listen. It is the athlete who is competing for a gold medal, not the coach. Sven Kramer should have been fully aware of his situation and remained in the correct lane.

This is the athlete's mistake. Yes, a certain level of trust is held between coach and athlete, but in the end, it is the athlete's responsibility, especially one who is the world's best in a sport, to compete within the rules.

When the music stops in figure skating, the skater stops; no amount of yelling from a coach would keep that skater moving beyond their routine. No amount of yelling should cause an athlete of Sven Kramer's calibre to break such an integral rule.

If the long track speed skating community wants to point judgement at someone, it should be Sven Kramer, he is the one who changed lanes illegaly. He is the one who lost the gold medal. And the fact that he is publicly denouncing his coach, and complaining to the media, brings doubt to the quality of his character and judgement.

Stop blaming Sven Kramer's coach. It was Kramer alone who broke the rules.

Let the games begin.

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Joannie Rochette is skating for more than her country

As Joannie Rochette takes to the ice in womens figure skating, she is living a dream and a nightmare simultaneously. Following the tragic death of her mother Therese, Joannie Rochette is skating for more than gold in Vancouver.

Therese Rochette suddenly passed away from a heart attack in Vancouver, only two days before her daughter was set to skate in the 2010 Olympic Games.

Just by stepping on the ice at the Vancouver Olympic Games, Joannie Rochette is exhibiting a strength and courage many people do not have. Rochette's mother was integral in her rise in the figure skating world, and has been at Joannie's side every step of the way.

Although Theresa Rochette isn't beside Joannie at the Vancouver Olympics, I'm sure her presence will be felt by the 23-year-old Montreal, Quebec resident.

Joannie Rochette is not just skating for a gold medal at the Winter Olympics, in fact, that is likely the last thing on her mind. Joannie is skating for the memory of her mother.

Luckily, Joannie Rochette has the encouragement and support of an entire nation. Canada is backing her and will cheer her every move.

When the music stops on Joannie Rochette's final program at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, regardless of her results, you can bet the Canadian crowd will be cheering her as though she won the figure skating Gold. If for nothing else, they will be cheering for the golden spirit and heart this young athlete has shown in such trying times.

Let the games begin.

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Ashleigh McIvor is the queen of ski cross

The Olympic Games newest sport has just named a new queen, and her name is Ashleigh McIvor.

Born in Whistler, British Colombia, Canada, Ashleigh McIvor won Canada's 6th gold medal on home soil. Although Canadian officals have been less than impressed with the country's overall medal count, success stories such as Ashleigh McIvor are bringing pride to Canadians.

Ski cross and snowboard cross have been hailed as two of the favourite sports of the Vancouver Olympic Games for the crashes, speed, athleticism, and the unpredictable finsihes exhibited in the sport.

Ashleigh McIvor, 26, was the reigning World Champion in ski cross entering the Olympic Games and recently finished 2nd at the X-Games. Ashleigh is considered by many to be the Lindsey Vonn of Canada featuring a unique package of athletic skills and good looks.

McIvor was excited following her Gold medal win in ski cross stating that she hopes she has inspired Canadian children to follow their dreams and to maintain healthy, active, lifestyles.

Congratulations Ashleigh McIvor on becoming Canada's sixth Gold medal winner on home soil and for becoming the first ever Olympic Gold medalist in womens ski cross.

Let the games begin.

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Will there be another USA 'Miracle' on ice?

If decisively beating Canada in a heated preliminary round game on enemy soil is any indication, the USA are well positioned for a run at a gold medal.

I wouldn't quite call this a "miracle," but a medal of any colour will be considered a success for the young and feisty USA hockey team. This is no team of bushy haired college boys, but the USA are definitely inexperienced and were picked by many to finish well out of the medals. Now, the USA have almost assured themselves a medal round game.

In my Olympic Hockey Preview I stated that I felt like this could be another "Miracle" team based on the performance of goaltender Ryan Miller.

Against Canada, Miller was a difference maker standing on his head throughout the game, specifically in the decisive last minutes of the third period. Not only did the USA receive clutch goaltending from Ryan Miller, their young and fast forward corps featuring the likes of David Backas, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, and Dustin Brown, was impressive.

Would I call it a "miracle?" No. I would call it a young and talented team coming of age on the world's biggest stage. Is Canada out of it? Not by a long shot, but they've made the road to gold more difficult then it seemed at the start of the Games.

Saying the USA will win Gold, or even medal is a little pre-mature, but this team that is beaming with young stars (and stripes) and have the potential to go wherever goaltender Ryan Miller leads them.

After beating the heavily favoured Team Canada at the Vancouver Olympics, Team USA has officially erased their "miracle" status and replaced it with "Olympic contender."

Let the games begin.

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Should Martin Brodeur be Canada's starter?

For anyone who watched the Canada-USA hockey game, you'll know there are questions about Martin Brodeur.

Is he still Canada's best goalie? Should his experience keep him in goal for Team Canada? Can he lead Canada to a gold medal?

The answer to each of these questions is no. Not if Canada's preliminary round game against the USA is any indication. Martin Brodeur allowed 3 goals on the first 15 shots. That is a .800 save percentage. That number wouldn't keep you in the net in the NHL, AHL, or a beer league. Canada lost 5-3 after outshooting the USA 45-23.

When he handled the puck (if you can call it that), Brodeur looked terrible and directly caused 2 of the 3 goals. The difference in the game was in fact goaltending, Ryan Miller played great, Martin Brodeur did not.

This is a point in the coaching career of Mike Babcock that will go down in history. Will he make the right decision and play Roberto Luongo the rest of the way, or will he hope the experience and reputation of Brodeur is enough to compensate for his poor play?

If Canada wins the Gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics, or any medal for that matter, you can bet it won't be because of Martin Brodeur. Rather, the team will have to put forward an impressive defensive effort in front of the aging goalie, and score enough goals to balance those he allows.

Please Mike Babcock, find it somewhere in your heart to play Roberto Luongo. He is Canada's goalie and Canada's hope for a gold medal. Let's get behind this hockey fans. We need to put Martin Brodeur out to pasture and let Roberto Luongo lead his team and his country to the Olympic Gold medal they so desperately want.

Let the games begin.

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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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Hamelin brothers are an Olympic family

For a parent to watch their child succeed in the Olympics, it is a dream come true. For the Hamelin family of Levis, Quebec, Canada, they got to watch both of their sons race in an Olympic final.

Brothers Charles and Francois Hamelin found themselves racing as opponents in the mens 1000m short track speed skating final.

Their father and team leader, Yves Hamelin, sat watching in the stands as his two sons battled for Olympic supremacy.

Unfortunately for the Hamelin family, older brother Charles Hamelin and younger brother Francois Hamelin both missed the podium finishing 4th and 5th. The day belonged to Lee Jung-Su of South Korea, but that doesn't take anything away from the Hamelin brothers.

Obviously they would have liked two Olympic medals, and they in fact led the race until the final few laps, but their accomplishments as a family are incredible. Imagine lining up beside your brother in an Olympic final. The epitome of your sport.

Any parent able to witness that would be extremely proud as I'm sure father Yves Hamelin was. Congratulations to the Hamelin family for their accomplishments at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. The brothers will get another shot at an Olympic medal later this week in short track speed skating.

Let the games begin.

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Montgomery is golden in skeleton

The medal count continues to climb for host nation Canada at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. The latest gold medal winner is Jon Montgomery of Russell, Manitoba who captured gold in skeleton.

Skeleton is one of the craziest sports on the planet as riders blaze down the icy track, face first, at speeds of 90 mph or 145 km/h. Montgomery overcame huge odds to beat out dominant skeleton rider Martins Dukurs of Latvia.

Montgomery, a small town auctioneer, set the track record in his gold medal winning run.

Although Canadian Olympic officials were hoping to be atop the medal count, the country is showing strong signs of improvement in almost every sport. If a Canadian hasn't finished on the podium, then at least one Canadian athlete has finished from 4th to 6th in most events.

The dividends are obvious however, with the success stories of athletes such as Jon Montgomery, Maelle Ricker, Christine Nesbitt, and Alexandre Bilodeau. Canada's Own the Podium program has enabled the nation to put up several gold medal performances, with more predicted in the coming days.

Congratulation to Jon Montgomery for capturing Canada's first gold medal in skeleton.

Let the games begin.

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Plushenko is the best in the world

I don't care who won mens figure skating at the Vancouver Olympics, because regardless of what the idiotic judges awarded, Evgeni Plushenko is the best skater in the world.

The reason he lost? Because he spoke out against the skating world. Plushenko was quoted before his skate, saying that if skaters don't include a quadruple in their program, then it is not mens figure skating.

You know what? He's right. In every other sport you are forced to be better, to train and set new world records. Not in figure skating. In figure skating you're expected to follow the old rules, play within the rules, pay your dues, and let the judges decide who wins, regardless of who deserves to win.

The sport is ridiculous and has lost all credibility after yet another judging fiasco.

Former Canadian skater Elvis Stojko was one of the first to raise questions about the judging, even regarding fellow Canadian Patrick Chan, who finished in 5th place, well higher than he desvered. Stojko also went on to say how the judges are removing the 'sport' aspect from figure skating.

The eventual winner, Even Lysacek, didn't attempt a quadruple jump. Plushenko, attempted and landed two. If Lysacek winning is the result of the new judging system in figure skating, then the system is flawed. How can a system award the same points for a triple as it does a quadruple?

What is definitely flawed, is the judges who implement the system. Theese judges pick and choose who will win with an utter disregard for talent and zero respect for sport.

Evgeni Plushenko is the best in the world and he deserved to win gold at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Evan Lysacek, yes he won, but he shouldn't feel proud about his "victory." It will forever be tainted by a dirty sport and dirty judges.

Congratulations to Evgeni Plushenko, who was the best skater at the Vancouver Olympics, and is still the best figure skater on the planet.

Let the Games Begin.

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Christine Nesbitt is golden in speed skating

Canadian athlete's continued to wash away any memory of struggles on home soil with yet another Olympic Gold Medal. Speed skater, and London, Ontario native, Christine Nesbitt struck gold in the womens 1000 metre long track speed skating event.

Nesbitt, 24, narrowly defeated a contingent of skaters from the Netherlands. In fact, her golden time was only two one-hundredths of a second faster than the Netherlands Annette Garritsen.

The intense crowd at the Richmond Oval seemed to encourage Nesbitt around the last turns of her race after she appeared to get off to a start slow.

The medal marked Canada's first gold in speed skating at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, a sport in which the country held high hopes in entering the Games. Canada will likely win a few more Olympic medals in speed skating before the closing ceremonies of the games.

Congratulations to Christine Nesbitt for winning Canada's first speed skating gold. Nesbitt has proven to be a classy competitor on and off the ice and is one of Canada's most deserving medalists.

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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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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