Comment du Jour

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!