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Sochi Olympiad

Spectacular Winter Games

The Winter Games at Sochi Russia ended with a spectacular finale of fireworks, pomp and a celebration of Russian culture and heritage.   

The Olympiad which started under the shroud of serious security threats from terrorist groups,  soon were overshadowed by the clash of athletes and teams vying for sporting fame.

Over two weeks the world was treated to both the expected and spectacular.  Young names were etched into our consciousness  such as the American alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin winning Gold, along with Ted Ligety in the Giant Slalom.  American ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White very much earned and won Gold.  

All in all Team USA won 28 medals with 9 Gold,  and placed just behind the host country Russia with 33 medals of which 13 were Gold.  The Russian four-man bobsled team, got the Gold followed by Latvia and the USA. 

Canada placed fourth with  24 medals, 9 of which were Gold.  The Canadian Hockey Team was
top notch as always as were Canadian Curlers. 

Norway, a small Kingdom with a mere 5 million people, scored like a superpower; 26 medals of which 11 were Gold.  Simply amazing.  And the Netherlands too, came in fifth with 24 medals 8 of which were Gold.  The Dutch speed skaters were unbelievable.  

Germany came in sixth place with 19 medals, 8 of which were Gold, and Austria followed with 17 medals, four of which were Gold.  The Austrian downhill skiers are nearly in a class of their own.  Germany's longtime alpine legend Maria Hoefl-Riesch earned a Gold and a Silver but nonetheless fell short of expectations. 

France earned 15 medals (4 Gold), Czech Republic 8 medals (2 Gold), and Poland 6 medals of which 4 were Gold!  Both Slovakia and Ukraine each earned a Gold too. 

Congrats to the Host country Russia for a safe, hospitable and rewarding Olympic experience for the teams, media and families.  

To paraphrase the call of the International Olympic Committee, the youth of the world will come together to compete four years hence in the next Winter Games in Pyeongchong,
South Korea! 







   

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(Statue of French General  Comte Jean de Rochambeau, located in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington.  General Rochambeau was a hero of the American Revolution and friend of George Washington). 



Franco/American Ties

State Visit amid Awkward Moments for French President 

French President Francois Hollande made a high profile State Visit to Washington, amid his own sagging poll numbers and awkward personal situation.  Set amid the pomp and splendor of a White House reception and banquet,  the social side of the gatherings were overshadowed by the embarrassing public breakup between the French President and his "partner" just a month earlier.

For protocol purposes the French "first Lady" was absent from the ceremonies leaving an uncomfortable void for many of the functions.

Some 350 Diplomats and Politicians and luminaries dined on quail eggs and caviar at the first White House State Dinner since 2011.

The French daily Le Figaro headlined, "Magic, Friendship, Caviar and Beef," all in the celebration of America's oldest friendship.

 On the political side both Barack Obama and Hollande underscored strong Franco/American ties on a number of key issues such as Iran and Syria.

The political rift between former French President Jacques Chirac and George W. Bush a decade ago over Iraq now seems remote. Yet it should be recalled that while ties between Washington and Paris were deeply strained in 2003-2004, just a few years later the new French President Nicolas Sarkozy largely patched up the situation.  A visit by Sarkozy to the USA in 2007 saw greatly improved relations with the Bush Administration which have subsequently continued under Obama.

It's good to see a renewed, strong and vital Franco/American relationship.

Vive le France!  

Comment du Jour

Happy Lunar New Year!!!

Year of the Blue Horse--every sixty years, and a sign of Prosperity!

The Transatlantic Echo Reaches across the Pacific to wish our Friends and readers in the Far East a Happy New Year!!  


Welcoming the Lunar New Year, New York's Bloomingdales Department Store
hosted a Chinese themed exhibit with music and entertainment.

Just blocks away at the annual New Year's Party at the Korea Society, one could listen to
a Korean jazz combo.

Or try to win some Korean themed gifts from the ever popular Raffle!

Gong Xi Fa Cai  !!!