Winter Olympics

Josh Irvine: Staff Writer

Tomorrow the Winter Olympics begin in Vancouver. I’ve always enjoyed the Olympics, and I know I’m not alone. It’s entertaining to watch and fun to converse about with friends since almost everyone takes part in this international affair.

Yet, I have to admit that some of the events are a little dated. I realize how long the Olympic Games have been going on and that they are major, international traditions, but sports evolve and develop, and so should the Olympics.

Curling? First off, it’s not even that intriguing of a game. Some call this game “chess on ice”. That’s a good description, because it is BORING. Each team has four players, and they sweep the ice using brooms to allow heavy, polished, granite stones to glide along to a target. Each team carries 16 stones, and the purpose is to deliver all the stones to the opponents’ “house.” Maybe the first couple plays are entertaining, but after a couple broom swipes, I’d be heading home.

It’s just that there are so many new and more exciting, sports that would attract a bigger audience. Curling was probably exciting to watch fifty years ago. Now don’t get me wrong, a lot of the events in the Winter Olympics have me on the edge of my seat and hooked for more. I love watching ski jumps and the half pipe for snowboarders, and any sort of freestyle event. I also reluctantly admit that figure skating is a favorite of mine. It just takes so much skill … you’ve got to appreciate it. So most of the events are captivating. I just feel that a couple should be replaced.

One last complaint is how there seems to be quite a few more skiing events than snowboarding. Since snowboarding has taken over skiing in popularity, they should at least have the same amount of events. It seems unfair that just because skiing was invented before snowboarding, it has more events for all the Olympics.