SkiFreak

Plenty of big leaked details about Vancouver's 2030 bid in this article from Castanet in Kelowna, BC: Castanet: Multimillion-dollar museum replacement trumps Games as BC NDP 2030 funding priority Includes deets about venue changes from 2010.

Did the ceremony pop up on Youtube yet? I didn't have a chance to watch it.

But what to do about that Steven Seagal guy?

Looks like the Antonov An-225 was destroyed. It was here in Calgary about 5 years ago picking up O&G equipment. It was here a few times in the past. This is the former Buran space shuttle carrier. Insider: World's largest cargo aircraft was destroyed during a Russian attack on an airfield, Ukrainian minister says

Start watching this training video!

Watch your social media accounts. I'm seeing reports on twitter that Russian hackers are taking over social media accounts and profiles. Good thing I'm not into any cryptocurrencies.

So...um... is this still going ahead? Or do we have to start digging bomb shelters?

But according to Star Trek, WWIII wasn't supposed to happen until 2026!

Another post-Olympics article, from Castanet in Kelowna, BC: Castanet: Cyber concerns continue - At Olympics, cybersecurity worries linger in background (Feb 20,2022)

A couple good wrap-up articles from the Calgary Herald: Calgary Herald: Scott Stinson: The Olympics were strange. May there never be another Games like it (Feb 20, 2022) Calgary Herald: Scott Stinson: The IOC looks forward to next Olympics, but tough memories will linger (Feb 21, 2022)

Chek News from Victoria (BC) has a decent wrap-up, verdict article: Chek News: After Beijing bubble bursts, can the IOC save the Olympics?

I'm gonna have to watch the replay in primetime this evening. Once again CBC cut to a commercial at a key part.

I actually enjoyed the closing more than the opening. But where was Sarah Brightman when they started singing You and Me?

How many times will we hear...

The IOC will take a sigh of relief now. I wouldn't be surprised if, following 2028, 2030 and 2034 are going to be North American games, in order to replenish the bank accounts post-covid with that prime time coverage and sponsorships.

Pondering right now whether to stay up for the ceremony or take a 4 hour nap before it. CBC is still showing the 30k. There's also the gala to watch. I have to dig thu the CBC app as there were events I still wanted to see like women's and men's two-man bobsleigh, aerials, and the ladies figure skating soap opera from a couple days ago.

Some things I'd like to see for future games: 1) unfortunately not doable while covid is still going on, but I'd like to see all athletes remain for the duration of the games. The ones that finish in the first week usually jump on a plane and head home. Would be nice for them to stick around to the closing ceremony and cheer on the rest of their team mates and represent their country. 2) there's more and more night-time events. Would be nice to be back during the day like ski jumping. 3) don't have any events until after the opening ceremony. Two weeks ago I was channel surfing and surprised there were two days worth of events before the OC. So it is 18 days of glory now?

Where will the Big Air ramp be constructed? Next to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant?

Yup, Putin gonna be dropping the bombs as soon as the cauldron, er, flame is extinguished. Congrats to the Fins!

Don't forget it's a winter games year, which means... World Cup! The World cup section will be getting traffic now.

Preliminary verdict before the closing ceremony in a few hours: sterile! Lifeless! I don't want to hear anything anymore about covid in Paris in two years so take your vaccines! Broadcasting was missing the cultural vignettes. The stands were missing the international fans and spectators. No team houses. Probably no sponsor pavilions, etc, etc. Just a bad time all around the world, including here domestically in Canada with the stupid freedom rally blockades and protests. On the sports side of things, good performances. Although Team Canada fell short in the gold and it was our lowest tally since 1994 in Lillehammer. Final performances from some favourite Olympians like Shaun White and Charles Hamelin (however I do wish these guys went out with full venues cheering them on). No podium for us in men's hockey, but glad Finland took the gold. Some firsts for Canada like 4-man bobsled bronze and ski jumping bronze. Glad the Olympics are leaving Asia for a bit. Here's hoping for more winter scenes in Italy in four years.

If I recall, Own the Podium started around 2003 when we got the bid for Vancouver. I believe OTP has their offices here in Calgary at Olympic Park. But even WinSport is neglecting the facilities. No ski jumps, no sliding track (temporary closure), no nordic club at the park (they got evicted to put in a tubing park), the oval experiencing mechanical failure last year. There is, or was, a Calgary '88 Legacy Fund. I recall reading it was over $70million. I want to know what the hell happened to this money? Maybe Vancouver 2030 will give the program a boost?

It's as if the Own the Podium funds are drying up. And CTV ran an article about athlete funding today: CTV News: 'We saw $0 in support,' claims Canadian skeleton Olympian Mirela Rahneva

Well things picked up a bit in the second week. And I'm glad Kaillie Humphries did not podium the US in the 2-man bobsled. Even CBC said she can be a difficult team member. The last event where we may podium is the 4-man bobsled, and that's about it. Just the gold hockey game and then the Closing Ceremony. After that, we all take off to the bomb shelters.

What? No Valieva, Jimmy MacElroy, or Chazz Michael Michaels?