Add this major event to your planner, collegiettes…. The XXII Olympic Winter Games open up TODAY in Sochi, Russia! In the 16 days that follow, athletes will compete in events like skiing, figure skating, speed skating, and snowboarding, just to name a few. According to the International Olympic Committee, this year’s Olympic Games will feature a record-breaking 88 competing countries.
Here, we give you the top five reasons to tune in to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games:
1. The Olympics bring the people of the world together like no other international event. We come together to compete, but also to appreciate and to celebrate the powerful stories of the human condition that are being told worldwide.
2. The opening ceremony is almost always a beautiful piece of performance art. (And let’s admit it….Ever since the Beijing Games in 2008, you keep watching because you half-hope and half-doubt that another opening ceremony could be equally spectacular.)
3. U-S-A! U-S-A! The Olympic Games give us an opportunity to root for the nation(s) that we love. Isn’t it amazing when the United States takes the gold?
4. Hamden’s own Jonathan Quick is on the U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Team. According to his profile on the Sochi 2014 website, Quick was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings. He plays as a goaltender, and this is his second time competing in the Olympics (Vancouver, 2010).
5. Speaking of which….Can we discuss our nation’s sessy male athletes?! I see you looking dapper in that new haircut, Sean White!
The Olympic Games only take place once every four years, so get fired up, collegiettes! I think we can all agree that after the blowout that was the Super Bowl, it’s time for some really exciting sports.
From the opening ceremonies to the medal ceremonies, tune in to NBC to follow all of the Olympic fun. You can also find behind-the-scenes info and photos of the action on the nbcolympics Tumblr and at www.sochi2014.com. Goooo team!