The Record

Students celebrate Olympics

By: Brenna Finley

The Olympic Winter Games happen once every four years, and for most CSB/SJU students, the 2010 Games are the only games they will be able to see during their time on campus. Understandably, “Olympic Mania” has ensued.

“I’ve found it really exhilarating watching all of the major sports, such as hockey, downhill skiing with Lindsay Vonn, Bode Miller’s return to significance, Apolo Ohno’s struggle with the competition in short track and Shani Davis’ gold medal pursuit, especially because of the pre-Olympics tiff with Stephen Colbert,” senior James McMillan said. “All in all, it’s been a great Olympics to be a U.S. fan.”

A huge variety of students are celebrating the games, some skipping classes and work to watch and others throwing toga parties to mimic ancient Olympians. As Minnesotans, many are excited about the number of winter athletes representing the area.

“It’s been really great learning the rules and history of curling, especially because of the team’s strong Minnesotan ties,” senior Alex Schafer said.

The Joint Events Council held an opening ceremonies gathering. The event was well attended and the hype on campus was well encouraged. Students began picking their favorite Olympians and sports to cheer on this season and many continue as the games progress. Some have made the Olympics a team event, watching and cheering together.

“As an entire apartment, we’re most focused on men’s figure skating,” senior Corey Friend said. “While it may be emasculating, we’ve really been keyed in on the struggle between apartment-favorite Johnny Weir, gold medalist Evan Lysacek and silver medalist Evgeni Plushenko.”

For bonding roommates, the reasons to root for an athlete together can come from anywhere.

“We really got into the sport after watching ‘Be Good Johnny Weir’ on Sundance Channel every Monday night,” senior Jer Graney said.

Experiences and personal ties dictate who students cheer on as well.

There are several students at CSB from the St. Cloud Figure Skating Club who have personal ties with Olympic figure skating gold medalist, Evan Lysacek. In 2003, 2004 and 2005, Lysacek came to St. Cloud as a guest skater for the annual ice show. Sophomores Maura Sullivan and Baylee Mehr and senior Maia Bentz were quoted last week in a St. Cloud Times article about Lysacek.

The three former skaters were watching together as Lysacek took the ice in Vancouver last week.

“It’s an honor to be able to say that I’ve met someone who’s so talented,” Sullivan said. “It’s hard to believe I’ve skated on the same ice as Evan.”

Sophomore Christy Duncan has personal ties to the Olympics as well.

“I’m a fan of Lindsey Vonn, not only because she’s an amazing ski racer, but because I grew up skiing at Buck Hill, where she learned to ski,” she said.

“My new favorite event in this Olympics, thanks to my friend Anne, is the biathlon,” sophomore Lindsey Krause said. “Who doesn’t love the combination of cross-country skiing and shooting a rifle?”

The games have been an effective segue into Spring Break 2010, and the excitement has not paused.

“It’s too bad that once we get home for break, the games will be almost over,” sophomore Mary Catherine Johnson said.

Many students are trying to balance commitments with opportunities to watch Olympic events.

“Having cable in my room presents a huge temptation to watch all of the events; homework can be done during commercials, right?” Johnson said.

No matter what the event, it is likely to conflict with the many obligations and responsibilities students have on campus, but some believe it is well worth it.

“I definitely put homework aside to watch Evan Lysacek compete last week and will most likely do the same with women’s short and free programs this week,” Johnson said.

In the final days of the Winter Games, students will continue to celebrate this momentous event. The next time students will see international skiing, curling or ice dancing, they will be four years older and likely to be at work for much of it. The enthusiasm only grows after the effort the U.S. has put forth so far.

“Who knew we’d be 3-0 in hockey going into the medal round?” McMillan said. “Who knew Shaun White is actually an animal? Who knew that the Russians would end up with silvers in ice skating and not golds?”

---