Last in a series
For two weeks every four years, much of the world’s attention turns to the Winter Olympics and its 15 disciplines -- many of which aren’t in the sports mainstream.
On their sofas, NBC viewers will vicariously live the dreams of the athletes and swell with national pride at the medal ceremonies. Analysts will relay technical terms about the halfpipe that will be forgotten after the next commercial, but wasn’t that 980 fakie olie with a Bloody Dracula chaser the coolest? And the artistry and athleticism of figure skating will inspire pre-teens to glide on their local rink.
Tuning in has a lot to do with watching the athletes testing their mettle in daredevil sports such as skeleton, ski jumping and the new slopestyle snowboarding. IndyCar Series drivers, many of whom grew up participating in winter sports, can relate to the inherent danger of such daring events and appreciate the mental and physical preparedness.
Click it: Engineer helps bobsledders go for gold || Rahal contributes to U.S. cause
“I enjoy watching the Olympics and watching the athletes at the limit,” said Simon Pagenaud, who skied often in his native France “though not as fast as the athletes.”
“Most don’t have any protection in what they do. Going into a race car you’re risking your life at every turn and they are risking their lives, too. I’m respectful and impressed with what a human can do when they have abilities and the proper training.”
Added Mike Conway: “I enjoy every four years watching the ski jumping. Just how far you travel is incredible. I used to ski when I was in school and anything going quick is pretty fun.”
The Games are being hosted in the coastal city of Sochi, Russia. Mikail Aleshin, a native of Moscow, said winter sports are part of the fabric of Russia, which will be evident in these Games.
“In Moscow, four months of the year is a proper winter,” said Aleshin, who noted he would like to take a run in a bobsled “especially if it would be possible to put an engine in as well.”
“The Olympics are very important to my country. They are a good way to show the world how nice it can be in Russia because not many people have been there and wouldn’t be thinking to go to Russia at the moment.
“To me, Moscow and St. Petersburg are like any other big city in the world. It will be nice in Sochi, which is a small town on the Black Sea. The people are like anywhere – friendly and welcoming.”
The Games’ final medal event is men’s ice hockey on Feb. 23, which will draw the attention of James Hinchcliffe – especially if favored Canada is skating for the gold.
“Hockey is the go to, but that aside – and this is going to sound ridiculous – but nothing is quite like an Olympic game of curling,” the Toronto native said with a straight face. “I never watch it any other time, but it’s a stereotypical Canadian game that I really get into.”
OK, so not all the sports are that daring.