“But in the real world there is another epithet up for grabs that is both unofficial and unwanted: worst Games ever.” — Lawrence Donegan, sports writer for the Guardian, on the Vancouver Olympics.

And with those words — a sentiment echoed by many of his fellow British scribes — Canadian officials were put on the defensive, as the focus of the Games began shifting from the performance of the athletes to the performance of the organizers.

With the tragic death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, combined with transportation issues, poor weather conditions and other assorted so-called glitches, many joined in on the Olympic bashing, questioning whether these Games may indeed be a colossal failure and the worst ever.



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/02/19/f-olympics-criticism.html#ixzz0g76vEtCG

Team USA is kicking ass, so no way!

I am so sick of hearing the criticism about these Olympics! On Thursday there was an article on the front page of the Seattle Times about the Olympics and the headline was "Woe, Canada". I read it and mainly it mentioned the fact that several events had to be canceled due to weather. Well, I hardly think that the cities Vancouver and Whistler had anything to do with that! The arcticle mentioned that the ticket prices were being refunded, but only to the orginal seller, which means that if you bought tickets on E-Bay or through a third party, you were out of luck. Still, to even go to the trouble to refund the money is pretty impressive, IMO. I was telling my husband today that I am sick of the games already, but I've changed my mind. I have been DVR'ing every day, and I had been so behind on my "Olympic-watching" that last night I had to rush thorugh like 12 hours of stuff. But now I'm pretty caught up. I am SO excited about the Ice Dancing, which I'm going to go home later and watch. I haven't been disappointed much so far. My only real complaint would be that they'll show a little bit of each sport and cut to the next. But this is the first Olympics that I've really watched "in depth", so I'm sure it's normal. But they've had some great interviews (although the multiple Shawn White ones are getting on my nerves along with Lindsay Vaughn) and some nice features. The other day they had a really touching one about one of the athletes (an American, but I can't remember his name) with a special needs brother. To see them together and how much he loves his brother was really sweet.
So all in all I am loving it! It's cool to think that they are happening only three hours away from me! Now I am all excited to go to Whistler again. Maybe I can still find some Olympic souvineers since I didn't get a whole lot when I was there last summer!

As for the tragic death of Nodar Kumaritashvili? Frankly, that could have happened anywhere. Sadly it happened in Whistler and now they are being blamed for it. But the track is said to be the fastest in the world and from what I read, he really didnt' have all the training he should have before attempting it. It was just an unfortunate accident and I'm very impressed that the track was fixed so quickly. I was watching an interview with some of the more experienced lugers and they said that because the speeds are slower now, that the ride isn't as exciting, but I'm sure in the minds of the Olympic committie, they don't want to take any chances.

Events being delayed due to weather in nothing new and the athletes are very used to it. It happens at world cup events, it happens at the worlds championships, and it happens at every Olympics. The weather is something that just can't be controlled. In my opinion the officials and volunteers at this Olympics have done a phenomonal job in the circumstances to prepare each of the venues and give the athletes the ability to perform at the best of their ability. I have heard nothing but compliments from the athletes about the venues. I challenge the British press to ask the people who are partying every night and having the time of their lives on the streets of downtown Vancouver if this is the worst Olympics ever. I can assure them the answer will be a resounding no!!!! I think the British are trying to downplay these Olympics so that they will have less to live up to when they host the upcoming Summer Olympics in London.

I wish I would have realized that Vancouver 2010 needed volunteers. That would have been an incredible experience; to not only go to the games but to say that I helped with them as well! Unless Vancouver miraculously decides to bid for the Summer Olympics in the future, I guess I missed my chance!

While I have winced a couple of times at relatively minor glitches, I would hardly call it the worst games ever! I don't know how much NBC is covering of the atmosphere and other activities out there, but from what I've been seeing it looks as though it's been one of the most "brotherly" among nations I've ever seen. I think the commradery (sp) and celebrating between countries has been amazing. Even when there has been rivalry between competitors, in the end you see them genuinely happy for each other (other than Victor in men's figure skating).

And yes, all the lugers knew coming into this that this course was the toughest yet. Certainly not impossible. These athletes want to be challenged each games - otherwise what's the point? Unfortunately there was an athlete that probably shouldn't have been on the track in the first place. And that aside, immediate action was taken to correct the issue (and much to the disappointment of the other lugers who were looking forward to running it the way it was). **** happens at all games people - get over it.

And as Hunt mentioned, the U.S. have been kicking ass so far so wtf? Nothing better to write about them?

I'm in the opinion that the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow (marred by the American led boycott), the 1972 Summer Games (marred by the Munich massacre and the United States men's basketball team getting screwed out of a gold medal), the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta (marred by the Centennial Park bombing, accusations of overcommercialism, and too much traffic congestion) were worse.

Don't forget the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal which were boycotted by almost all the African Countries to protest the participation of South Africa and it's policy of Apartheid. And the 1984 Summer games in L.A. which were boycotted by the Eastern Block in retaliation for the western boycott of the 1980 Moscow games.

They got off to a bit of a rough start, but after that things went really well. They didn't have any control over the weather. Maybe they could have been better prepared for some other things. It's the athletes and the competition that make the Olympics great.

Don't forget the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal which were boycotted by almost all the African Countries to protest the participation of South Africa and it's policy of Apartheid. And the 1984 Summer games in L.A. which were boycotted by the Eastern Block in retaliation for the western boycott of the 1980 Moscow games.

I think Montreal wound up being faced with massive amounts of debt from hosting the 1976 Summer Olympics. The debts were so huge, that they were still lingering some 30 years later. The Los Angeles Games in 1984 were at the time, the most financially successful Olympics ever. So something really positive manage to come out there despite the Eastern Bloc's boycott.

I think Montreal wound up being faced with massive amounts of debt from hosting the 1976 Summer Olympics. The debts were so huge, that they were still lingering some 30 years later. The Los Angeles Games in 1984 were at the time, the most financially successful Olympics ever. So something really positive manage to come out there despite the Eastern Bloc's boycott.
Your right about the debt in Montreal. In fact for many many years Montrealer's referred to the Olympic Stadium as "The Big Owe"!

Maybe Mr. Donegan from the Guardian is a bit miffed because Great Britain won only one medal.

That's one more medal than I friggin won and I wasn't even there!

;)

i heard them mention on CNBC that Vancouver had the warmest January in 100 years - that's not something you could really predict...

I enjoyed the games regardless of what some critic says.