Let the Games Begin
Saturday, February 13th, 2010Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/psblogs/public_html/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821
Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/psblogs/public_html/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821
Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/psblogs/public_html/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821
Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/psblogs/public_html/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821
Warning: constant() [function.constant]: Couldn't find constant TT_TH8US_LEN in /home/psblogs/public_html/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/tweet-this.php on line 1821
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
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Recent Comments