Olympic Fever!

We’ve got it. I kinda come from the school of belief that says the Winter Olympics are the only Olympics — and I’m not even that much of a figure-skating fan. Random thoughts on Torino so far:

• Our uniforms, our sportswear, our Opening Ceremonies berets — these always look awful. The Canadians’ clothing always looks hella-cool. Both are done by a Canadian company, Roots. But I’m sure they’re not making our neighbors to the north look better on purpose.
• You know what’s a good idea just before a major downhill race? NOT trying out new skis. I mean, really.
• Pairs figure skating has been massively improved by the new (scandal-free!) scoring system and required elements. It’s about 50% less, shall we say, fruity — and when each pair is required to run through essentially the same moves, you can really judge the differences in athleticism, talent, and grace much more easily. Plus, they’ve added some kind of mandatory leg-humping move that is just about the most bizarre-looking thing in all of sport.
• Short-track speed skating is a lot like single-day bike racing — huge strategy, and anything can happen at the end. Why do we only get to see this sport every four years?
• Curling? Hey, I’m from the Electric City, where the movers and shakers (back when they had some) were all about the curling. But I would sooner gnaw off my arm than watch curling.
• On the other hand, skeleton? Luge? Crazy people flying down ice at more than 70 miles per hour? I could watch that all night. (Discovery Channel had a special on the building of that track — you should have seen how dangerous it was before they fixed it.)
• Al Trautwig has been relegated to announcing cross-country skiing. Only. That’s still too much for my tastes, but it’s an improvement. Please please please keep him away from cycling.
• We will have to interrupt Olympic fever next week, however — although they’re running it at 1 in the morning here on the East Coast, I have to give ESPN2 mad props for televising the Tour of California.