Vancouver Blogger Sriseth

After Day 8 of the Olympics brought a another gold, expectations for Day 9 were high. Short track champion Charles Hamelin, long track speed skater Denny Morrison and Canada's top 2-men bobsleigh team were in action expecting podium finishes, but ended up in failure. Tens of thousands of exuberant Canadian fans poured into the streets of Vancouver on Saturday didn't get any news to be jubilant. Thankfully there was still fresh memories of Jon Montgomery's skeleton victory the previous night.

1,000m World record holder Charles Hamelin had the company of his brother in the final race for his favourite event, but sadly he could only beat his own brother. South Koreans proved once again they are the new dominant face in short track skating, while US Veteran Apolo Ohno had more energy at the finish line than Hamelins to grab the bronze. At Richmond Oval, there was still much hype about 'Denny vs Shani' contest in long track speed skating before the 1,500m event. One again it proved to be nothing as Denny Morrison failed to put up a decent performance finishing in 9th place. But the most devastating news for the Canadian fans came from Whistler sliding centre as bobsleigh duo Lyndon Rush & Lascelles Brown crashed during their second run denying a much anticipated medal.

While Canadians failed to get onto the medal podium, Americans continued their amazing run at the Olympics adding a silver and two bronzes to their already impressive medal tally. With a clear lead over favourites Germany, our neighbours South of the boarder are 'owning the podium' in Vancouver. With Canadian fans looking for restitution, Sunday's hockey match between rivals USA and Canada gets much attention both sides of the 49th parallel.

“It’s one of the toughest races I’ve ever skated. Since we’re not accustomed to raucously cheering crows, we had trouble hearing the people behind us.” -Charles Hamelin

"He worked, but working at this level isn't good enough. You have to be technically sound and the technique wasn't there." - Denny Morrison's coach Marcel Lacroix

"It's the Olympics right. That's big. Everybody tells me that it's big, but more than anything I like racing and this is a track where I'm good. I had a chance to do well, that's the most disappointing." - Lyndon Rush

“They can own the podium, we just want to borrow it. Just for the month of February, and we’ll give it back.” - Apolo Ohno

When it came to the second run of the mens' halfpipe final round, American snowboarder Shaun White had already guaranteed the gold medal. But that didn't prevent him putting up a blinder of a show that earned him even better score (48.4 out of 50) than the previous round. When most of other snowboarders failed to show their best and collapsed under pressure, Shaun was confident, daring and perfect. He showed the world once again that he is the undisputed champion in his sport. His performance summed up the 6th day of the Olympics that belonged to three American superstars. Sure, they all started as favourites in their events. But how many favourites have we seen so far who failed to deliver under pressure. Under non-ideal conditions where many other athletes failed to deliver, American trio not only defended their status as superstars, they did it in very convincing fashion.
Lindsay Vonn came into Alpine skiing womens' downhill event with a shin injury caused during training. In an extremely challenging and dangerous course, where many skiers ended up crashing, Lindsay had a nerveless near perfect run and showed the World that she is not just a media stardom.
Shani Davis, who became the first black Olympic champion (solo) four year ago at Turin,  came to mens' 1000m speed skating event as the overwhelming favourite to defend his gold medal. He was super calm under an unexpected fierce challenge from South Korean Mo Tae-Bum and won convincingly at the end.

Shaun White's gold rounded up one of the best days for USA in an Olympics with 3 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals. Although we would have preferred our own athletes to win these events, we should not hesitate to applaud the great showmanship of the Americans.

When North Vancouver`s Maelle Ricker won the gold this morning for Womens` Snowboard cross, she became the first British Columbian to be decorated at 2010 Olympics. For what people of Vancouver and elsewhere in British Columbia have gone through to make this Winter Olympics a reality, Maelle`s gold medal is a sweet treat. Her medal made Cypress mountain the luckiest venue for the Canadians with 4 of the 5 medals so far have come from there. But that`s the only good thing to say about the venue, which is the focus of much criticism. VANOC president John Furlong mentioned this morning that venue currently experiences the worst weather in 100 years. Weather troubles at Cypress is only one of may problems the organizers are facing right now. Harsh criticism from international media regarding the quality of the game is worrisome. To hear the Vancouver games are cursed (today`s Times Online UK article) after all the sacrifices made is anything but painstaking for the people of this province. It is in this context the value of local golden girl Maelle`s victory becomes even greater and sort of a redemption for the British Columbians.

Maelle Ricker got her own redemption after failing to complete 2006 Turin Olympics medal round finishing at 4th place. History would have repeated for her if the bad weather continued this morning denying her the second run at the preliminary round. But foggy condition improved just in time and she didn`t make a single mistake in her next 4 runs. In a sport where so much unpredictable can happen, and with adverse conditions making things worse it is a great achievement we all should applaud her for.

When all of Canada watched Alex Bilodeau step into the top of the podium to accept the gold medal and listened to O Canada been played for the first time at home, the man next to him who accepted the silver medal managed to get much attention just due to his grumpiness. He not only didn't celebrate his medal, didn't show any emotion, didn't greet the 22,000 fans present at the stadium, didn't talk to other two athletes on the podium and even hesitated to get on the top of the podium with the other two for the customary photo shoot moment at he end. It was the weirdest performance I ever saw by an athlete on a medal podium. And if someone thought he was grumpy on the podium today, he was ten times grumpier yesterday after the end of moguls event. This made me curious to find out more about this person.
End of the second day of the games approached with Canadian fans still anxiously waiting for the first gold. Several gold medal hopefuls had already ended up in failure further continuing Canadian home gold jinx. But there was a Canadian native, reigning Olympic champion, World champion and clear favourite to win the final event of the day - Freestyle Skiing Mens' Moguls. He was getting ready to ski at his native hometown West Vancouver at all too familiar Cypress mountain. Still it would not have cheered up Canadian fans, rather it was going to be a great embarrassment. The first Canadian native to win a gold on home soil was going an Australian. But the host nation with great sporting spirits deserved better. The rest is history.

Dale Begg-Smith was born in Vancouver in 1985 and grew up in West Vancouver few kms away from Cypress Mountain. He skied for Canada as a teenager while also building a business of his own. This made his ski training clash with his business interests creating tension with coaches who accused him for not spending enough time on training. In 2001 he decided to leave Canada and settle down in Australia, where he could pursue both skiing and business interests. With the success of his online marketing business making him a multimillionaire, he also improved himself into a world class skier. 2006 Turin Olympics made him only the third Australian to win a Winter Olympic gold. He had achieved everything he expected by leaving his native land. Only one ambition left. He wanted to show off his success in front of home crowd when Olympics come to his birthplace and thereby becoming the first Australian to win two Winter Olympic golds (and first Olympian to defend Olympic Moguls title). It seemed he didn't want to hide his disappointment after failing to achieve it.

It's also interesting to find out the odd personality of the man. After the gold medal achievement at Turin, he came under media scrutiny as Australian media went after his business affairs. His business was accused of producing internet malware and distributing malicious software. Dale said the reason for starting a business (at age 13)  was that his parents couldn't afford his skiing expenses. For his credit, we should applause his remarkable achievement in both business and sports at the same time. As a person who highly regarded his privacy, he always tried to downplay his business success and wanted to keep his personal matters to himself. But the media came after him hard. Aussie media nicknamed him Ice Man or Mr. Mysterious. After realizing he is going be a major threat to Canadian skiers at the Olympics, Canadian media joined in the bandwagon with hostile remarks. This intensified after Dale shunned Canadian media upon arrival at Vancouver for the Olympics. I believe Canadian fans should not be carried away with the vilifying image created by media. Dale being a quit man, we don't know what exactly went through his mind when he was standing emotionless on the podium. If you look at his win at Torino, you'll see that he's not the kind of person who would go into wild celebration. What we know for sure is that he has achieved enormous success as both a businessman and an athlete - a rare feat. To win an Olympic medal just an year after a major knee surgery is a proof of his dedication to the sport.  For these achievements alone he should be respected and applauded. Those few fans who booed Dale at today's medal ceremony did not do any good to Canada`s  reputation has as truly spirited sports loving nation.

Quite celebration may not the Australian way, but Aussie media calling their first Olympic medalist 'Mr.Miserable' should be denounced. Media should not be unfair to an athlete based on his off-field dealings.

''I never really come into competitions worrying about placings and so forth. I just try to ski my best. That's what I did. I can't control how anybody else skies or anything like that.'' - Dale Begg-Smith 

Many believed in Canadian Olympians that they will end the gold medal drought at home this time at Vancouver 2010. But most didn't expect Alexandre Bilodeau to be the man to do it. Because it would have meant many other gold medal expectations before his event have to end up in failure. It was the last event of the second day of Olympics - Mens' Moguls at Cypress mountain - and as gold jinx continued Canadian fans were getting anxious. With other Canadian athletes of the event already out of medal contention, it was Alex Bilodeau's moment to make history. A masterful performance lasted 23.17 seconds transformed him into a national hero. 22 year old from Montreal may be the most deserved Canadian to get the honour. Always cheerful and humble personality who gained inspiration from his handicapped (celebral palsy) brother is a perfect role model. Here we are after 12,000 odd days (since 1976 Montreal Olympics) of wait, Canadians can finally hear "O Canada" from a Canadian Olympic podium.

The Aussie who won the silver in the same event was not in any celebratory mood. He was no other than reining Olympic champion and favourite Dale Begg-Smith - a Vancouver born internet business mogul who ditched Canada few years ago and moved down under for pursuing both his business and skiing (something Canada didn't want him to do) is more famously known for snubbing Canadian media. Dale's loss avoided him becoming the first Canadian born athlete to win gold on home soil - but not for Canada. Bilodeau not only won the gold but avoided another embarrassment for Canada.

With a huge burden relieved, rest of the Canadian athletes can now focus on putting on their best performance. Winter sports are dangerous and risky in nature. A slightest of mistakes can ruin your day. With athletes pushing themselves to the limits the chances that their dreams been shattered are very likely. We should be cheering for all who perform at their very best whether they win medals or not. I am hopeful medals of all colour will start flowing in for Canada from now on.

After 5 events completed in country's third Olympics, Canada still remains the only host nation not to win an Olympic gold on home soil. Host countries have often come out with better than usual performance. Norway in 1994 Lillehammer and South Korea in 1992 Seoul are good examples. 2010 games should break this bad spell for Canada given the world class athletes competing. But until that moment comes, everybody will be anxious.
Two opportunities missed today. Charles Hamelin choked in 1,500m short track and Jennifer Heil failed to defend her Olympic crown in ladies' moguls. Americans were the spoilers in both occations adding to the agony of Canadian fans. To her credit, Jen Heil gave a great performance in the medal round. It's just that the American Kearney Hannah came up with a run of her life to grab the gold at the end. Both Hamelin and Heil seemed to be under added pressure of winning the gold. Soon after the event, Jen Heil wasn't celebrating her silver medal (Canada's first medal) and did not even carry a Canadian flag while the two American were waving their flags on her sides. It's important to ensure that Canadians completing in rest of the events are not under additional pressure. As spirited Canadians we should appreciate every time a Canadian gives their best performance and cheer for every medal despite its colour. Otherwise Canada may find themselves continue to carry the curse at the end of the Olympics.

Swiss ski jump superstar Simon Ammann pulled off a flawless final jump in men's Ski Jumping NH individual to win the first gold medal of the 2010 Olympics. His 108m (new hill record) jump clearly separated him from his competitors. There was no competitive Canadian athlete for that event. Slovakia's Anastazia Kuzmina won the second gold on offer in women's biathlon 7.5km sprint event by knocking out favourites. Again no Canadians. Third gold (and first indoors) went to the Dutch when speed skater Sven Kramer won the 5,000m event. Two Canadians in top 20.

 Charles Hamelin is trying to become first Canadian Olympic gold medalist in Canadian soil when he competes in 1,500m short track speed skating event. Jennifer Heil will also be trying to go for gold later in the day in freestyle skiing ladies' moguls. Hope Canadians will break the long time curse of not winning an Olympic event (Summer or Winter) on Canadian soil.

Canada gave a spectacular show to open the Olympics. It was a fantastic showcase of Canadian talent. Shania Twain and Celine Dion were missed, but I am with the organizers for giving British Columbians the priority. Sarah McLachlan, Bryan Adams and Nelly Furtado all did well. But why Steve Nash? He's got nothing to do with Winter Sports to be selected as one of the torch bearers to light the cauldron. Marc Gagnon, Gaétan Boucher or Gordie Howe could have been selected. 
My favourite moments were 'Canadian Spring' with fiddler and tap dancers performing, k.d. lang singing Leonard Cohen's hallelujah and Rick Hansen bringing the Olympic torch to the stadium in his wheel chair.
Flawless show came to a embarrassing finish due to a technical glitch preventing one of the 4 torch pillar coming of of the ground. Too bad it was Catriona Le May Doan who couldn't use her torch light the cauldron. Sure, mistakes can happen anywhere, but for a $40 million dollar show it's inexcusable. How can your blame Nodar Kumaritashvili for his mistake in getting killed. Truth is both these could have been prevented with little more vigilance.

Winter Olympic games are marred by a tragic incident at the Whistler Sliding Centre hours before the games were officially opened. 21 year old Georgian Luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili died during training after crashing into a steel column at the end of the final curve. The incident was clearly captured by cameras and posted on the internet. I don't know much about designing high speed sliding tracks, but anyone with common sense can realize those unpadded steel roof supporting columns are a catastrophe waiting to happen. No matter now professional these athletes are, there can also be mistakes and all protected measures should be taken for their safety. Whistler track is regarded as one of the fastest and having those columns near the end of the track where athletes travel at about 130 km/h is plain ridiculous. Hope officials will take immediate precautions to prevent using this track (to be used for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton events) as it is. There should at least a protective barrier separating those columns and the track. Let's hope rest of the games will be safer for everyone participating.

Live TV technology has improved so much that you can watch almost every moment of Winter Olympics in your big screen HDTV sitting in your comfy couches at home. Most around the World can enjoy the same. But only us Vancouverites have the opportunity to travel few kms to the venues and see the live actions. Most of us won't get such an opportunity during the rest of our lifetime. So why shouldn't we. Not everybody may think the same way. Tickets of major events already sold out; expensive ticket prices; traffic problems; rainy weather....excuses are not hard to find. But I believe we should show the World the sport loving spirit of Canadians while encouraging Canadian athletes to perform at their best.

If ticket availability or the prices are a problem, there are a number of free events you can attend without tickets. Free Olympic Events Guide
Venues Guide: Major Venues

Alternative commuting options: Getting around Vancouver

Traffic Conditions Map: Traffic & Transit Alerts

Where ever you go, don't forget your umbrella !

Olympic TV Schedule: TV Viewer's Guide

The Bollywood movie "My Name is Khan" premiers today. Why I want to write about an Indian movie? I haven't seen the movie, don't know what the story is or how good it is. But I heard that the movie is about a person with Asperger's Syndrome - a mild form of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I have a son with Autism. So, I am closely associated with Autism community. One of the major obstacles persons with ASD and their parents face is the lack of knowledge about it among general public. I didn't know anything about Autism until my son was diagnosed about a year ago. So I'm not blaming anyone. There are so many health conditions, physical/mental disorders, diseases around that we won't know much about until we come across an affected person. Movies have been one of the major means of raising awareness about various subjects. Dustin Hoffman's character in Rain Man is regarded by many as Autistic. It increased Autism awareness. But we know that most autistic people are not Savants (having extraordinary abilities) like the Rain Man. So, in a way Rain Man created misconception about the abilities (or the disability) of Autistic people. Hollywood has failed to produce a major movie to help increase true awareness of ASD, despite the fact that research has shown ASD is growing in epidemic proportions and affecting every 1 in 100 or more children and still remains a mysterious syndrome with no clear cause or cure established.

This is why I am so excited to hear about 'My Name is Khan'. The star of the movie is Shahrukh Khan - the most popular Bollywood actor. With his presence and having Fox on board for distribution, I hope this movie will become popular among Bollywood fans around the World. Though Asperger doesn't indicate the true hardships of having Autism, it will at least open the eyes of people and increase the general awareness of ASD. My gratitude to the writer, director, producers and everyone else who contributed to make this movie. Please go see it.

Official website: http://www.mynameiskhanthefilm.com
Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Name_Is_Khan
Vancouver Showtimes: Cinema Clock

Today Cities of Vancouver and Whistler welcome the World for 2010 Winter Olympics. During next couple of weeks we will enjoy the best athletes in the World fighting for Olympic glory. Olympic torch relay has successfully managed to energize the Canadians during last few weeks, who were thought to be less interested than they should be. Well, when you think of how hard many other countries battle each other get the chance to host an Olympic game (Summer or Winter), it's a shame not to be pumped up when you have one on your backyard.

I have been a fan of Winter Olympics for many years and been looking forward to this ever since Vancouver won to be the host.

I'm still in the process of setting up this blog site. After reviewing many templates, selected this 'mayumi' created initially for wordpress by padsolutions and converted to a blogger template by Anshul. Did a little bit of customization. Need more work to get to a status I'm happy with. I like the modern elegant look of this template and integration to Twitter, FB etc. Thanks guys for doing this amazing work and more importantly making it available free.

For many years it has been one of my dreams to start a blog of my own. Never got the time to do it until now since I spent more time reading other blogs and commenting on them. And what better moment to start my first blog than the day Vancouver welcomes the World for 2010 Winter Olympics.

Here we goooooooooooooooo