Olympics

Photo Courtesy of Sports Illustrated

A few years ago I came out as a curling fan – and a curler myself with my professing of my fandom of Thomas Ulsrud and his Oslo based Norwegian National Team. It extends so far as that I’ve been following all of the webcasts online to watch him play.

What draws me to his team, as opposed to say other teams? Well I like a bunch of players, it’s just the assertiveness and fact that the boys are having fun that makes it so appealing to me. They aren’t afraid to wear loud clothing and look sometimes hideous – that in itself is totally hot.

Photo Courtesy of The Sochi 2014 Olympics

Meanwhile in other news, other curling stars have emerged, but on lessor scale a player has caught my eye as having good future in curling in a country that really isn’t know for it. His name is Алексе́й Стукальский (Alexey Stukalskiy) of the Russian Federation. While he’s not as skip, he throws fourth stones for the clinchers. Plus he’s got a 1990’s style hair twizzle. Keep on rockin’ at the Olympics, even if you’re out of the tournament!

In my attempt at being super-duper, I thought I would go over my top two favourite men’s volleyball teams at this years Olympics in London, United Kingdom. I have followed team Brazil for years, and only recently been intrigued by team Italy. I’ve not missed a single match, thanks to World Feed 12 and online streaming because Canadian broadcasters really don’t like to show volleyball for some reason. It’s tragic I know, but here we go with my odes:

If you know me at all, you’ll know that I don’t fall suseptible very often to Latino, Medeterranian, or “touchy” type cultured people, but for some reason I’m drawn to these two teams. I hope you like my commentary!

Olympic Team 2012 Brazil

1 REZENDE Bruno (S) 26, 190cm, 76kg	4 DE SOUZA Wallace (OS) 25, 198cm, 103kg	5 DOS SANTONS JR Sidnei  “Sidão”(M.B.) 30, 203cm, 98kg
6 VISSOTTO NEVES Leandro “Vissotto” (OS) 29, 212cm, 97kg	7 GODOY FILHO Gilberto “Giba” (WS) 35, 192cm, 85kg	8 ENDRES Murilo (WS) 31, 190cm, 76kg
10 SANTOS Sérgio Dutra “Sérgio” (L) 36, 184cm, 78kg	11 ALVES Thiago Soares “Thiago” (WS) 26, 194cm, 88kg	14 SANTANA Rodrigo “Rodrigão” (M.B.) 33, 205cm, 85kg
16 SAATKAMP Lucas (M.B.) 26, 209cm, 101kg	17 GARCIA Ricardo (S) 36, 191cm, 89kg	18 AMARAL Dante (OS) 31, 201cm, 86kg

Other Commentary:
(1) My future husband, who just doesn’t know it yet; I watch him play and I’m put into a trance; seriously, queue up bitches!
(6) A huge blocker, and huge attacker winning tons of points this tournament
(7) The Godfather, legend Giba coming off a leg injury and got to play against USA!
(8) The sexy Argentinian looking Murilo has some attitude, but I don’t care at all!  
(16) A huge “teddy bear” as I like to call him, tallest and heaviest on the team but I think he’s much softer than he appears
(18) Sex on legs, is Dante; I don’t know why but watching him play, just makes me swoon!

Olympic Team 2012 Italy

1 MASTRANGELO Luigi (M.B.) 36, 202cm, 90kg	3 PARODI, Simone (WS) 26, 196cm, 82kg	6 PAPI Samuele (WS) 39, 190cm, 84kg
7 LASKO, Michel (OS) 31, 202cm, 100kg	9 ZAYTSEV Ivan (WS) 23, 202cm,92kg	10 BONINFANTE Dante (S) 35, 188cm, 85kg
11 SAVANI Christian (WS) 30, 194cm, 83kg	13 TRAVICA Dragan (S) 25, 200cm, 94kg	14 FEI Alessandro (M.B.) 33, 204cm, 90kg
15 BIRARELLI Emanuele (M.B.) 31, 200cm, 95kg	16 BARI Andrea (L) 32, 185cm, 74kg	17 GIOVI Andrea (L) 28, 183cm, 80kg

This team is my second favourite team of all time. Generally speaking I’m not a fan of supporting Italian teams, but this one is just so impressive. I think what impresses me most about the team is that they are generally a little older, and more experienced. Their facial expressions, and they way that they play just impresses me and is typically flamboyant in the Italian style.

Other commentary:
(1) The name Luigi makes me laugh, but most importantly the swagger around the court of this player is beyond sexy
(6) The name “Papi” is very fitting to the way he looks, if you’re familiar with Spanish language.. haha
(7) Polish born Lasko likes to wear necklaces and bracelets which typically on Italians looks uber-hot
(9) Italian born Russian Zaytsev likes to spike his hair and plays with it throughout matches
(11) Much better looking whilst playing than in ID photo! 
(13) Croat born, charming player with awesome hair!
(16 & 17) The two ugliest Libero positions I’ve ever encountered….

Needless to say I think it’s obvious that I prefer Brazil to win Gold this year, but they are going to be in tough against the Americans who are sadly whoopin’ some ass.

For anyone that knows me, they would know that during the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Vancouver, the Parade of Athletes is by far the best part. Further to this, seeing the clothing that they are wearing is great.

Words can’t describe my love for the Czech Olympic Team’s Trousers, which make me really happy.

Where and how can I get them? Please share, in the meantime I’ll drool at the current design above.

Since months and months before the start of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, Canadians and Canadian press has put so much pressure on Canadians to win gold on home soil. In the two past times that Canada has hosted in the Olympics, gold has never been won.

1988 Winter Olympic Games, Calgary AB => 0 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze
1976 Summer Olympic Games, Montréal, QC => 0 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze

Those are the stats, and we’ve been hearing them on CTV’s coverage ever since well before the games. Everyone in the country isn’t worried about Canadians winning medals, but they are worried about when and if a gold medal will arrive. The pressure is felt even by me, it’s incredible.

Canada’s first hope was in the Women’s Freestyle Skiing : Mogols event, with defending Olympic Champion Jenn Heil trying to defend her title. She narrowly is beaten by an American who gloats around the area with the bronze medalist American, meanwhile Heil was gracious in defeat with her silver medal. It was the most disappointing smile I’ve ever seen in my life: simply heartbreaking.

Redemption came a day later, when Canadian Freestyle Mogols skiier Alexandre Bilodeau takes to the stage. Narrowly behind Canadian born Aussie, he edges him out to win gold, and the gold rush in Canada begins. CTV has been showing a special on Bilodeau for a few days ago; and about his old brother, his best friend, who has cerebral pausly; and how it inspires Alexandre to do well and to keep on going.

The relief is instantaneous, and thank god for Bilodeau having the balls to get it over with. No Canadians can focus on performing, and not stressing about if they are going to win or not. All I can say is “Thank God,” now lets go get ‘er Canada!