Why do I say this? It may be my lifelong bondage to snow (I'm from Minnesota)...the fact that countries like Norway & Sweden can compete against the "super powers"...events like ice hockey...ski jumping...bobsled...luge...biathlon...speed skating...curling...the new X-game events...figure skating (although the judging is often ridiculous)...or the inspiring human interest stories, etc.
I give to you my Top 10 Olympic Memories:
10. Japanese Ski Jumping Team (Nagano, 1998): The Japanese dominated the ski jump hill with their flair and passion...exciting their partisan fans.
9. Bonnie Blair (Lillehammer, 1994): One of the top speed skaters of all time, Blair competed for the United States in four Olympics and won five gold medals and one bronze medal.
8. Dan Jansen (Lillehammer, 1994): American speed skater Dan Jansen overcame the death of his sister and many disappointing losses to compete in his final Olympics at Lillehammer. In his last race, he set a world record in the 1,000-meter race, finally winning the gold.
7. Franz Klammer (Innsbruck, 1976): Skiing with reckless abandon, the Austrian skier Franz Klammer moved from 15th position to Gold in his final attack on the hill.
6. Shani Davis (Turin, 2006): Davis became the first African-American to win a gold medal in an individual sport at an Olympic Winter Games, winning gold in the 1000 meter speed skating oval...he is looking for more gold in Sochi.
5. Eric Heiden (Lake Placid, 1980): At 21 years old, the American speed skater took home five gold medals, winning every speed skating event. His performance still ranks as the greatest individual feat in Winter Olympic history.
3. Eddie the Eagle (Calgary, 1988): Millions of fans fell in love with Great Britain's Michael Edwards. Known for his oversized glasses and epic crashes, people from around the world fell in love with Eddie despite finishing dead last. He made failure famous!!!
2. Jamaica Bobsled Team (Calgary, 1988): This four-man team from a country without snow became instant celebrities....when their bobsled lost control and crashed, they decided to cross the finish line on foot...inspirational!
1. The U.S. Hockey Teams (Squaw Valley, 1960 and Lake Placid, 1980): Known as the "Forgotten Miracle" and the "Miracle on Ice," the American victories both with Cold War backdrops...are in my opinion the greatest feat in all of Winter Olympic history!
Do you believe in miracles?!?
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