Weird Olympics, weren't they?
Here's what's funny -- by FAR, this was the most successful medal performance by any US Olympic winter team.
That's hard to believe because it seems -- to me, anyway -- that while there were gems of performances, there were more unfulfilled expectations than anything else.
I'm not an Olympic-level athlete. Far from it. I make no claim to the perspective you're afforded by that level of skill. I can only try to relate my own experiences with competition to what it must be like to compete at world class levels.
The part I can't get is an athlete having that kind of ability, getting to the premier competitive event of the world, and not having the most pure feeling of desire for achievement imaginable. Yes, it's a hell of an achievement to get there in the first place -- but now you're there. What are you going to do with the opportunity?
Bode Miller? Huge disappointment. Waste of talent. Cop-out "I don't define success by medal count," and "Man, I rocked here. I got to party at an Olympic level."
Lindsey Jacobellis? Lost her head. Lost her focus. Made a decision to showboat. She's only 20, you say. So? That's what snowboarding is about, you say. Not an excuse. Athletes younger than that keep their heads. She crosses the line with silver, and says, "Oh well." Like she just dropped a french fry instead of the most elite level of achievement in sports.
American speedskaters who can't get along? Give me a break. Figure out a way to get along. Act like men, not a couple of whining kids.
I read where the USOC plans to meet with the coaches and athletes now that the Games are over and try to figure out what's in their heads. Avoid the stupid behavior and field a team with equal parts talent and actual desire to win. I hope they make progress.