2014 Paralympics opens in Sochi today

Team USA enters the Opening Ceremonies of the 2014 Paralympics

Today Sochi saw the opening of the 2014 Paralympics, which will run from March 7-16, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

The Games will feature 72 medal events in five sports, and will see the debut of snowboarding at the Winter Paralympics.

For news and video of the games, make sure you visit Paralympic.org

I watched much of the London 2012 Summer Paralympics and it's more inspiring than you can imagine.  These are true athletes sharing in the spirit of competition just like out Olympic athletes.

You can watch Team USA enter the opening ceremony here.

Glenn Beck says US should have boycotted Sochi Olympics

In light of current events involving Russia and Ukraine, Glenn Beck says, a week after the Olympics have ended, that the US should have boycotted in order to give hope to oppressed people all over the world.

Of course, LGBT activists called for a boycott weeks before the Olympics in regard to anti-gay laws that had recently passed in Russia. That fell on Beck's deaf ears.

Until today. But then, he's not upset about LGBT victims in Russia.

Responding to a point by co-host Pat Gray that boycotting the Olympics would mostly just hurt American Olympic athletes, Beck was utterly unmoved.

"Yes, it would hurt our Olympics. Boo hoo," he stated. "Cry me a river":



(via Right Wing Watch)

Final medal results at Sochi Olympics

According to NPR, this is the fourth time the host nation of an Olympics has emerged victorious in the medal count, making a strong case for the idea of home field advantage (U.S. in 1932; Norway in 1952 and Canada in 2010).

NBC's Bob Costas addresses LGBT discrimination in Russia - finally

During NBC's coverage last night, Bob Costas finally took a moment to comment on the state of human rights in Russia, one the first times during the Sochi Olympics wherein the network has acknowledged the issue on air.

Bob Costas on NBC:

The Sochi games have gone much better than many feared and predicted. So far security has held fast, venues have been praised, athletes and spectators have almost unanimously cited the warmth and hospitality of their hosts. All of which is truly wonderful but should not serve to obscure a larger and more lasting truth.

While in many significant ways, Russian citizens have better lives than Soviet citizens of a generation ago, there’s is still a government which imprisons dissidents, is hostile to gay rights, sponsors and supports a vicious regime in Syria - and that’s just a partial list.

The Sochi games are Vladimir Putin's games, from their inception to their conclusion, and all points in between. And if they are successful on their own terms, as appears to be the case, then at least in some corners it will help to burnish the image of a regime with which much of the world takes significant issue. No amount of Olympic glory can mask those realities any more than a biathlon gold medal, though hard-earned and deeply satisfying as it is, can put out the fires in Kiev.

Why do people obsess over sports?

If you get caught up in watching the Olympics, or any sport, you might be interested in WHY?

Turns out there are a whole lot of biological and chemical things at work 'under the hood' that aren't that hard to understand.

Be smarter in two minutes. From the guys at AsapSCIENCE.

US skier Bode MIller's emotional interview after winning Bronze in Super-G

At yesterday's Super-G finals in Sochi, American Bode Miller became the oldest medalist in Olympic alpine history and spoke with NBC’s Christin Cooper after his run.

Cooper received much criticism after her continued questions about Miller's recently deceased brother caused Miller to become emotional and walk away. After a few steps, he dropped to one knee where his wife Morgan came to his comfort.

NBC issued a statement defending the interview saying, "We understand how some viewers thought the line of questioning went too far, but it was our judgment that his answers were a necessary part of the story."


You can watch the interview here.

I'm a fan of Bode Miller.  I've followed him for years and I was pulling for him to medal at this, his last Olympics.  I don't think Cooper intended to cause pain here.  I think in the moment she was doing what her producers were probably telling her to do in her ear, and wasn't quite reading how far this was pushing Bode. 

You can see some of the responses from across the internet below.

A very dramatic slice of the Sochi Olympics.

Wow, the thing that interviewer just did to Bode Miller was SUPER disgusting. #Olympics2014
— Linda Holmes (@nprmonkeysee) February 17, 2014

Nice work getting bode miller to break down douchebag reporter.
— Ana Gasteyer (@AnaGasteyer) February 17, 2014

Some announcers just don't know when to stop asking questions-why can't they leave Bodie Miller alone and let him deal with his emotions.
— MIKE ERUZIONE (@MERUZIONE) February 17, 2014

Christin Cooper @ NBC Sports is the absolute worst. There was no journalism in that interview w/ Bode Miller, just badgering & scrounging.
— Carina MacKenzie (@cadlymack) February 17, 2014

Bode Miller, however, defended Cooper in his own Twitter account:

I appreciate everyone sticking up for me. Please be gentle w christin cooper, it was crazy emotional and not all her fault. #heatofthemoment
— Bode Miller (@MillerBode) February 17, 2014

My emotions were very raw, she asked the questions that every interviewer would have, pushing is part of it, she wasnt trying to cause pain.
— Bode Miller (@MillerBode) February 17, 2014

Former Italian MP arrested in Sochi for "gay protest"

Vladimir Luxuria,  who was Italy's first openly transgender elected official, was allegedly arrested after she held a rainbow-colored banner that said "Gay is OK" in Russian.

Luxuria also tweeted a picture of herself outside the Olympics' Medal Park holding a rainbow-colored hand fan. The message under the picture said 'I'm in Sochi! Regards with the colors of the rainbow, in the face of Putin!'

Luxuria apparently was protesting a Russian anti-propaganda law approved last year that many perceive as anti-gay. President Barack Obama and several other world leaders skipped attending the Winter Olympics' opening ceremony because of the law.

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/02/16/218337/italian-media-transgender-ex-government.html#storylink=cpy

Luxuria tweeted this photo of her protest shortly before she was arrested:

(source)

Cheers to Sochi - "The silence of our friends"

Via Cheers To Sochi

American skier bringing home more than a medal from Sochi Olympics

American freeskier Gus Kenworthy, already a Silver medalist in the slopestyle competition, is looking to bring home more than just his Olympic medal.

Kenworthy came across this homeless family of five dogs (mother and four puppies) outside the Gorki Media Center in the mountain village.

A dog lover all his life, he's had the dogs vaccinated, rounded up kennels and is planning to bring them home to the US where he's already lined up adoptive homes.

He does plan to keep one, although which one has not been determined. How do you choose?

A friend had texted him a picture of the dogs living beneath a security tent outside of the main entrance of the Media Center at the Olympics.

One look and Kenworthy was smitten.

“I’ve been a dog lover my whole life, and to find just the cutest family of strays ever, here at the Olympics, was just a fairytale way to have that go down,” Kenworthy said.

(source)

Olympics: Norwegian Curling team goes pantless

Last week I posted a round-up of some of the different countries' Olympic uniforms for the Sochi Games. Included in that was Team Norway, whose "mod" outfits have drawn comments and criticism.

Now it seems, other teams in the curling competition have complained that the Norwegian's pants are "distracting."

From OUT: "In addition to distracting competing teams, some have raised questions the legality of the pants and if they violate International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules. A debate has started as to whether or not the pants are part of the "official" uniforms provided by the team's home country."

So, in the spirit of cooperation, today the Norwegian Curling team took this picture pantless:

There.

Problem solved.

Openly gay ski jumper at Sochi Olympics doesn't plan to protest because "no one cares"

Openly gay veteran ski jumper, Daniela Iraschko-Stolz of Austria, says she doesn't plan to attempt any protest of Russia's controversial anti-gay propaganda laws at this year's Winter Olympics because "no one cares."

From the AP:

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to make protests here, no one cares,” she said after training Sunday. “I know Russia will go and make the right steps in the future and we should give them time.”

Iraschko-Stolz has been dominating the past two days of training runs in Sochi and is favored for the gold medal on Tuesday.

Netherlands LGBT speed skater Ireen Wüst wins gold in 3,000-meter

Ireen Wüst, a speedskater from the Netherlands, won gold in the 3,000-meter competition in Sochi, defeating the defending champion from Czech Republic.

Wüst is one of six out LGBT olympians competing in the SochiOlympics.

She completed the event in just 4 minutes and .34 seconds.

Russia wins first gold of Sochi Olympics with first ever Team Figure Skating event

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulates Team Russia on first gold medal of Sochi Olympics

Russia finally found it's first gold medal of the Sochi Olympics by winning the new event Team Figure Skating.

Russia won with a total of 75 points in the event. Team Canada took silver with 65 points, and Team USA placed third with 60 points.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was on hand to congratulate the Russian team.

Chobani Yogurt rocks a rainbow tweet for equal rights

From my personal favorite brand of yogurt, Chobani, rocked this rainbow tweet out on Friday in support of ALL athletes at the Sochi Olympics.

Chobani released a statement earlier this week denouncing the anti-gay law approved by the Russian legislature in recent months. The new law, which prohibits the promotion of “gay propaganda” to minors, has overshadowed the run-up to the Sochi Games.

“We oppose Russia's anti-LGBT law,” CNBC quoted the CEO of Chobani, a U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) sponsor.

In related news, apparently 5,000 cups of Chobani yogurt are being kept from delivery to Sochi Olympians due to Russian officials "who claim the United States failed to provide the very specific health- and safety-related paperwork necessary to allow the food to reach their athletes."

Hmm....

US snowboarders speak out against anti-gay laws in Russia

U.S. snowboarders are among the athletes speaking out against anti-gay laws in Russia, the host country of the Winter Olympics.

(via ESPN)

NBC edits out IOC anti-discrimination statement from opening ceremony at Sochi Olympics

Deadspin reports that NBC edited out IOC president Thomas Bach making a "strong statement against 'any form of discrimination' and in favor of tolerance."

The world heard Bach's statement, but Americans did not. Here is the edited out portion of the speech:

Now you are living in an Olympic Region. I am sure you will enjoy the benefits for many, many years to come. Thousands of volunteers have welcomed us with the well-known warm Russian hospitality. Many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers. Bolshoi spasiba, valantyoram! Thank you very much to everyone. Russia and the Russians have set the stage for you, the best winter athletes on our planet. From this moment on you are not only the best athletes, you are Olympic Athletes.

You will inspire us with your outstanding sports performances. You have come here for sports. You have come here with your Olympic dream. The International Olympic Committee wants your Olympic Dream to come true. This is why we are investing almost all of our revenues in the development of sports. The universal Olympic rules apply to each and every athlete- no matter where you come from or what your background is.

You are living together in the Olympic Village. You will celebrate victory with dignity and accept defeat with dignity. You are bringing the Olympic Values to life. In this way, the Olympic Games, wherever they take place, set an example for a peaceful society. Olympic Sport unites people. This is the Olympic Message the athletes spread to the host country and to the whole world. Yes, it is possible to strive even for the greatest victory with respect for the dignity of your competitors. Yes, Yes, it is possible - even as competitors - to live together under one roof in harmony, with tolerance and without any form of discrimination for whatever reason. Yes, it is possible - even as competitors - to listen, to understand and to give an example for a peaceful society.

Head over to Deadspin where both the full version of the speech and the edited version (with a cut-away shot) are posted.

Boo on NBC. This is going to be a story...

(via JMG)

Sochi Olympics: US bobsledder gets trapped in bathroom, solves the problem

After taking a shower this morning, U.S. bobsledder Johnny Quinn found his bathroom door had sealed shut. The member of the USA-2 four man sled was trapped in his bathroom without a phone and no way to signal for help.

Instead of waiting for someone to discover him locked in his bathroom, the former professional football player took matters into his own hands. Problem solved.

...With no phone to call for help, I used my bobsled push training to break out. #SochiJailBreak pic.twitter.com/apZRefgvCO
— Johnny Quinn (@JohnnyQuinnUSA) February 8, 2014

And since you probably want to see what our intrepid Mr. Quinn looks like... :)

Violence and crack-down on LGBT activists already at Sochi Olympics

And so it begins.

The Russian online news site Grani reports that ten LGBT activists were arrested by Moscow police at Red Square today as they waved rainbow flags and sang the Russian national anthem.

According to text messages from the arrested Russians to a Swedish activist who was also arrested but was released first, the police beat two of the activists still in custody and threatened them with sexual assault.

A text message transcript via Buzzfeed:

Me:: "We didn’t sign anything. Are you all still there?"
Them: "Yes, in cage. They beated [sic] two of us"
Me: "Oh no, who? What can we do? Can you keep reporting? Are all of you in the same cage?"
Them: "Two queers [were beaten]. Before that they took us upstairs and said that we have to suck their cocks' and that we have to be burned. When we said that we gonna complain. So they bring us back to cage. So we dont let them close it without paper, pen and their names. So they beat two of us and then used cuffs."
Them: "Yes we are together. Now we are singing."
Them: "They beated [sic] our people again - cause we asked to let our public defender come to us. They didnt give us any docs."

All ten have now been released.

The activists say they believe police learned of the protest in advance by tapping their phones.

(via JMG)

It's all about the costumes! Olympic uniforms by country

OUT has assembled a gallery of the team uniforms to be worn by the athletes at this year's Sochi Olympics.

Some look great; others, well the jury may be out...

Take a look at some here then head over to Out.com for more.

The USA looking all patriotic an proud

France went very "high-fashion"

Germany!  Do I see a rainbow?

Japan is sending businessmen to compete in the Olympics

Kazakhstan looks fresh as newly fallen snow

Latvia had grandmother's working overtime on these knit pieces

Norway - wtf?

Poland giving you some nice use of gradient

Slovenia is rocking some color.  I like!

Bob Costas begins Olympics with eye infection

Considering that the Russian PR machine is trying present Russia in a "white-washed" version of itself, there's something strangely ironic that the man most responsible for conveying the "story" of the Sochi Olympics to the US has an eye infection possibly affecting his vision.

I'm not saying Costas will "see" Russia differently but there just something satirical about it.

Hope Costa's eye heals quickly.