Hometown Olympians
I love the Olympics – a lot. Every time they roll around, I can’t muster the ability to turn off the TV. Even the most random of sports catch my interest – have you ever watched speed-skating relays? Amazing! So I decided, after watching a couple local boys in the primetime coverage tonight, to follow up and see how the homeskillets are faring over in Torino.
Chris Chelios (Chicago) – Keep an eye out for him all this week, as the hockey prelims start tomorrow.
Margaret Crowley (Chicago / Evanston) – Finished 22nd in the 3000m Speed Skating event. Upcoming events are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, in the ladies team pursuit.
Shani Davis (Chicago) – Finished 7th in the 5000m Speed Skating event, scheduled to skate in the Team Pursuit, 1000m, and 1500m over the next week.
Evan Lysacek (Naperville) – Currently in 10th place for Mens Figure Skating after the short program. Medals will be decided on Thursday after the free skate.
Aaron Parchem (Oak Park) – Finished 13th in Pairs Figure Skating with partner Marcy Hinzmann
Matt Savoie (Peoria) – Currently in 8th place for Mens Figure Skating after the short program. Medals will be decided on Thursday after the free skate.
On an aside, Timothy Goebel (Evanston / Rolling Meadows) is missing from this year’s games after receiving the bronze medal in Mens Figure Skating in 2002. He finished 7th in the US Team qualifier for the 2006 games.
Sigh. Lauren, I am so with you on the Olympics. I got my first taste of obsession at eight years old, watching Kristi Yamaguchi win the gold medal. I’ve watched hours and hours of every olympics, summer or winter, ever since.
But now things have changed.
I settled in to my huge couch on Saturday night, turned on the TV and tuned into the pairs skating competition. I was RIVETED. Riveted, I tell you. That guy, you know, that guy (from China, I think?) who tore his achilles and still competed? Whoa. What a hook. What a story. Then, because she was so worried about his jumps, his female partner didn’t land her jump? Argh! The heartbreak.
I was really getting into it. I was making fun of the German’s costumes and everything. Then the boyfriend entered the room.
“Olympics?” he said, snidely, and groaned. “Aren’t the Simpsons on?” Simpsons? SIMPSONS? The best athletes in the world have come together to compete for your viewing pleasure and you want to watch the Simpsons? Oh, cruel world. How is it possible that our two year relationship hasn’t overlapped an Olympics until now? How was I to know I had moved in with an anti-olympite?
I don’t know if I can love a man who doesn’t love the Olympics.