Kitsap at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver

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I’ve loved the Olympics for almost as long as I can remember. It started with the 1994 Games in Lillehammer, when as a fourth grader, I couldn’t wait for school to end so I could go home and watch the coverage. I was enthralled by ladies’ figure skating, which had everything — drama (Tonya Harding was there, after all), surprise (who expected Oksana Baiul to win?), and, best of all, triumph over adversity (with Nancy Kerrigan bouncing back from her attack seven weeks earlier to capture silver). But it wasn’t just figure skating that caught my attention — all I needed was a few minutes to hear the stories behind the athletes and I instantly became a fan of any sport.

The closest I’ve ever come to the Games was in 2002, when during my senior year at Olympic High School, I was chosen as a support torchbearer for the Salt Lake City Olympic Torch Relay, and for a few glorious moments, I got to run with the torch in Olympia. (I’d love to show you a picture of that, but my family is notorious for suspect photo-taking skills, so I’ll have to settle for one of me pre-run with a breakfast pastry.) It was an incredible experience, and a year and a half later, when Vancouver was chosen as the 2010 spot, I knew I’d finally get even closer.

It’s been a process long in the making. I’ve been talking about it for more than six years, put my request in for tickets back in late 2008, got confirmation for two events in early 2009, and shored up accommodation arrangements nearly a year ago. And yet last night, as I watched the opening ceremonies, I still couldn’t believe the time had finally come.

But ready or not, in a week, I’ll be there, and I’ll be sharing the experience with you. Check back as I prepare to hit  the road to Vancouver with my mom, Becky Harrington (also an Oly grad); attend men’s alpine skiing and women’s ice hockey events; wake up at the crack of dawn to wave at the cameras for the Today show; and attempt to meet Bob Costas (more on that later).

Oh, and wish me luck finding boots. I’ve never owned a pair in my life, but now — as I’m soon to be standing at the bottom of the giant slalom run for four hours — seems like the right time to get snow-appropriate footwear.

– Haley Shapley

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Yes, folks. Bree Schaaf can ham it up. In fact, most of the women’s bobsled team is more than capable of porcine tomfoolery. Larry and I attended the athlete processing yesterday (Chuck outlined the details here.) near the Vancouver International Airport.

Here’s a few of my “quick hits” from the event.

1.) I will not be challenging any of the women’s bobsled team to an arm wrestling match.

2.) We bumped into Bree before the event as she was leaving the hotel for some grub. After, Larry seemed somewhat amazed that I recognized her, saying he wasn’t sure he would. Strange, considering he’s seen photos of her for, I dunno, years in our paper. The only explanation is that Larry Steagall is getting old.

3.) I may use this space to continue teasing Larry.

4.) Speaking of age, I felt old at the athlete processing event. At a ripe old 28, I’m older than most of the athletes checking in yesterday. Say, the snowboarders and free skiers, for instance.

5.) Shaun White gets mobbed wherever he goes. So does Johnny Weir. Yep, they were there. Yep, Larry got photos.

6.) I’m surprised more media weren’t at the event. Really, it’s about the last chance any of us get at relatively unfettered access to a large number of athletes before the games begin.

7.) I didn’t interview the big names who were there. Why? I didn’t really know what to ask that wouldn’t illicit an stock answer I’d heard each of them recite to other journalists who were there.

8.) Most of my time and energy was focused on following Bree and her brakeman Emily Azevedo. They seem like two peas in a 90 mph pod. I’ll have a some video up this weekend, so keep your eyes peeled.

9.) Wanna see a photo of a famous guy? Here you go:

10.) Lindsey Vonn, Lindsey Vonn, Lindsey Vonn

- Derek Sheppard

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