It's OK To Be A Little Sad

  

The Olympics Games are one of those things that seems to simultaneously pass very quickly and very slowly. Think back to the 5th snowflake that failed to open into an Olympic ring during the opening ceremony. Not to pick on the opening ceremony, but that was probably the first really memorable event ofthe games for me. So much has happened during the last two weeks, the ceremony seems like it was forever ago. And on the other hand, these two weeks have passed very quickly, and it seems like it was just yesterday. This is particularly true, when I think about how far away the 2018 Winter Games, in South Korea, are.

As I look back on the last two weeks, I'd like to highlight a couple of memorable moments, and things I liked best about these games.

  • The site was stable and performed well — As one of two software engineers running the site, this is very important to me. We made quite a few changes during the first few days of the games, but overall there were very few issues and things went quite smoothly. Fantasy Olympian is a labor of love, so I had concerns that my real job, or real life, might get in the way and keep us from providing a good experience for our players.
  • The Parade of Nations — This is always one of my favorite parts of the opening ceremony, and I thought having the Athletes enter out of projected map of their country was brilliant. I am always awed by the number of nations and athletes that comes to the games with no medal hopes, just the desire to participate and compete.
  • Slope Style Events — There were a lot of new events this year, but I think the slope style events were my favorites. I mean they were landing ski jumps backwards... Speaking of new events, did anybody see the luge relay? I seem to have totally missed that.
  • Davis/White — One of my first olympic memories was the UK Ice Dance couple  Torvill and Dean's stunning performance of Bolero in 1984. I think Davis and White may have topped that performance this year, a fitting capstone to so many years of hard work.
  • Women's Figure Skating — I know there has been a lot of debate over the result, but I think we were priviledged to see a really strong field this year. While Gracie Gold didn't medal, I can't wait to see her in South Korea in 4-years. Watch out!
  • Bode Miller — I was one of many people who was originally inspired by Bode Miller, especially as a fellow New Englander, then severly disappointed by his attitude and performance in 2006. It was good to see him get a final medal at these Olympics and to go out with style.

There was many more moments, and I am sure that in a few minutes, I'm going to wish I had remembered to add something else. I had so much sharing the games with my family and friends over the last couple of weeks. Yes, I'm a little sad to see them come to a close. However, I am looking forward to seeing South Korea's introduction in tonight's closing ceremony, and 2016, then 2018 will be here before you know it.

Looking ahead even further, I say go Oslo for the 2022 games! And, let's bring the 2026 Winter Games to Boston! I can't think of a better way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of this nation, than to bring the winter olympics to its birthplace.

Steve

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