Outsports Archives

Re the Vonn/Mancuso incident in the giant slalom yesterday: As usual, the media are trying to squeeze a tabloid story out of the personalities involved — Mancuso's ruffled feelings and the rivalry between the two women. Personally, I am wondering why the media aren't looking at officials who sent the next skier down the hill […]

OK. I’m not the biggest hockey fan, as previously mentioned in article written by Jim, but even I know when someone does something dumb. Canada won the gold medal for the third straight Olympics in women's hockey, beating the U.S., 2-0. That's awesome. But then the women lost all common sense. Members of the team […]

The ladies figure skating final tonight was the truly the show of shows. We watched a former world medalist crumble, another move up, one skater who made history, another who had to overcome gut-wrenching grief and the crowing of a new queen. This was the first final I have had the opportunity to attend at […]

A few days ago, a few French-Canadian TV commentators started to talk about Johnny Weir, and how he should be gender tested. In Vancouver, Weir addressed those comments (see previous post) after a public apology was made by the radio station president. Weir talked about how they insulted him as an individual, that it was […]

There is almost always something exciting about every Olympic competition. Because it's the Olympics. But over the next few days, few Olympic competitions will match the intensity of these rivalries. USA vs. Canada, hockey (Tuesday-Sunday). This rivalry began at least as far back as 1960, and the modern version was ratcheted up in 2002 when […]

Last night, the Winter Games were made to order for TV ratings. Two luscious and photogenic young couples, Canada and U.S.A., duked it out for the gold, while U.S.A. and Russia slugged over the bronze. Re the win, judging looked to be spot on — it was suspect only where the Russians squeaked into 3rd […]

The ladies figure skating short program tonight was probably the best event in the Olympics. The final two flights were full of talent, and grace. But for the top six, they pretty much will hold onto their positions providing they stay on their feet. In a field where most us of thought placements would be […]

This is good for an eye roll. NBCOlympics.com and People Magazine are confirming that gold medalists Evan Lysacek and Nastia Liukin are an "item." While the bizarrely homophobic figure skating world is surely rejoicing at this news, I'm less moved. Lysacek's Olympic performance was spectacular, as was the way he handled himself afterwards. But, with […]

At AfterEllen.com, there's a good profile on the out lesbian athletes at Vancouver — including gold medalist speedskater Ireen Wüst. It was put together by the AfterEllen staff — together with dynamic photos of the five women. And an interview with Pat Griffin on the factors that can steer an athlete's deciding whether to come […]

Miller ran the super-G on his downhill skis, instead of shifting to shorter skis. "It's really icy on the top and I thought the downhill skis would be the fastest," he said. "And they were. Then I figured all I had to do was hang on." The strategy of going faster at the top, because […]

When Charlie White, and Scott Moir were 8 years old, they got into a fight during a hockey match. White played for a Michigan team, Moir for an Ontario team. I don’t think either of them would have guessed that a decade later, they would be world class ice dancers, training at the same facility, […]

While the women's event won't be quite as hotly contested as the men's event was last week, skating fans who tune into the women's short program on Tuesday and long program on Thursday should be in for some fantastic skating. Simply put, South Korean phenom Kim Yu-Na will need to have a total meltdown in […]

Heartbreaking news from the Olympic Games. Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette, defending world silver medalist, lost her mother, Thérèse, last night in Vancouver. The cause of death is not yet determined. The Rochette family had just arrived in Vancouver, when her mother was rushed to Vancouver General Hospital. As of this moment, Rochette still intends […]

Jimmy D, 23, lives in the Frozen North and is filling us in on the Canadian Olympic obsession.Today: The Olympic spirit, U-S-A! U-S-A!, who’s gpoin We've hit the halfway mark of these 21st Winter Olympics. Or if you're Roman, the Olympiad XXI. Whatever. There have already been many magical moments to say the least. One […]

As I read Selena Robert's SI smug, judgmental piece about Tiger Woods' press conference, and noted other media's smug, judgmental allegations that Tiger aims to hijack some attention from the Vancouver Games, I wondered how many other Americans are getting turned off by the smug, judgmental national attitude that is building around the golfer's awful […]

Tonight was full of drama at the original dance portion of ice dancing. There was a a lot of folk and country music. What is up with the cowboy-cowgirl costumes. Did they think because this event was in Canada that it would be adored by fans? It felt like a frat Halloween party. Particularly the […]

Jimmy D, 23, lives in the Frozen North and is filling us in on the Canadian Olympic obsession. One of the most mystifying Olympic events — to most Amercians anyway — is the game of curling. Curling in Canada is hockey's lil brother. Always there, never getting the attention it seeks – but when push […]

So Johnny Weir skated a freestyle program that brought the crowd to its feet. He had entered the finals far enough behind (6th) that the punters had given him only a long shot at bronze. But there was a moment, as NBC commentator Scott Hamilton yelled, "That's the best that I've seen him do!" and […]

American Idol anyone? How 'bout skiing, speed skating, and half pipe? NBC, which until Friday's Opening Ceremonies had been struggling in last place among the networks, had as good a night Wednesday as Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White, and Shani Davis. As TVbythenumbers.com points out, "NBC averaged an 8.9/23 rating/share with adults 18-49 and 29.26 million […]

Thoughts from a busy Wednesday in Vancouver: 2002 Olympic Pairs Champion Jamie Sale took a few shots at Russian Skater, Evgeni Plushenko. Sale, while speaking to the media, said, "I don't buy his skating, his artistry, and I don't the marks he receives. His skating is not believable." Hmmmm, so iIm assuming Sale is not […]