pdr4332

For me is aimed at domestic consumption. BTW, Brussels and Ukraine is happening at the same time as far as constructed "enemies" are concerned.
Does anyone still fall for this? Maybe someone over 80 years for sure. 
A couple of years ago (but after the war broke out) an old man (in his own admission he was 82) in a local bar tried to convince me that without Don Vittorio in the government, I would be already fighting in Eastern Ukraine 
Needless to say, he was unsuccessful.

I started with an 8 after a couple of days, well, now it's definitely a 9
 
great Olympics, wonderful competitions, amazing success on and off the field for  
 
at least once in my life I can say I'm proud to be Italian, proud to be from Milan
 
will keep these 2 weeks in my heart forever 

that little fella in CC skiing trying to beat those two ladies on the finish line sprint. 
 
thinking about it, having a Dog sprint event makes more sense than some events there.

Plenty of moments, but while this one is fresh in my brain...
 
It was the audience singing the national anthem as they raised the  at the end of the men's Ice Hockey game earlier today.
 
Of course everyone knows about the divisiveness of American politics.  Here in the USA, we have so much fighting amongst ourselves, and the division is exhausting and at times worrisome.  Then, when you look abroad, I see the world looking at us, and much of what I hear is negativity towards us.  (This isn't unique to the current administration.)  That even includes being on forums like this one, whose aim is to celebrate Olympic sport and athletes from around the world as they compete in the Olympics, whose aim is to bring unity and good sportsmanship.
 
During the Olympics, it's a time where we in the USA come together.  Though half of my fellow Americans voted differently than I did, we all got to cheer when we scored that OT goal.  We all came together and sang our national anthem.  I don't know the hockey players at all.  They may have voted for our current president, or perhaps not.  Statistically, probably half of them did.  But that doesn't matter here.  We even have ads on TV right now saying "For two weeks, we all come together."
 
My country is more than its political leaders.  (I mean, half of Americans didn't even vote for our president.)  My country is full of beautiful stories, places, and people.  We have amazing athletes.  And when we win a gold medal, we celebrate.  Of course there are aspects of being an American that aren't good...but there's plenty to celebrate.  And I got to hear that audibly today.
 
When you on this forum see me and my fellow Americans celebrating a victory (whether that's in ice hockey or whatever random sport you don't care about), I hope what you see is us celebrating the accomplishments of our athletes.  I hope you don't see me as one who is promoting any political agenda.  (My political beliefs or who I voted for aren't relevant here.) I'm just a guy that likes to watch people from my country go out there and fight as hard as they can to win.  When we do, it's great, and I'll celebrate.  When we don't, I'll congratulate the victors and hope we can come back stronger next time.
 
This isn't a specific moment, but one thing I love most about international sport are the hugs that the athletes give each other after they finish.  They're competitors, and they each want to win...but ultimately, they just want to be their best and beat the best.  I love seeing the sportsmanship that is evident at most times.  So likewise, I hope we fans can be an extension of that Olympic spirit, promoting peace, excellence, and good sportsmanship as we all celebrate sport.
 
And yes, I also recognize there may be some who don't like it when America dominates certain sports.  I feel similarly when I see other countries dominating other areas.  I mean, besides the Germans, who didn't love it when the  sled came and stole bronze in the 4-man bob today?  I think back to the Athletics WCh when  randomly won a shot put medal, I think it was.  I love the underdog story, too, and I celebrate those moments.  Of course it stings if it's an underdog that beats , but again, congrats to the victor, and see you next time.   

Def beats Sturla Holm Lægreid winning and dedicating his gold medal to his ex girlfriend.

Nazgul entering finish line in womens team sprint qualifications.

I never thought I'd see the day Italy had a 30-medal and 10-gold edition of the Winter Olympics, so there are probably too many to choose from.
 
Brignone winning the Super G, because to me that was the story of the Games from a human standpoint.
 
Lollobrigida winning the 3000 meters, because it was the most jaw-dropping performance for me, as everybody — herself included— was saying she had a very rough preparation for the Olympics.
 
The 1-2 in the men's skicross, because it was the one race in which I got to taste the excitement of gradually realizing that something unbelievable is about to happen. That's probably why the first moment that comes to mind when I think of that race is not the final, but the quarterfinal in which the Italians eliminated Howden.
 
If I have to choose just one moment, I'll go with those 3 hours on Sunday February 15th in which I saw Federico Pellegrino realize his dream of a relay medal, then Federica Brignone win the giant slalom, and finally Lisa Vittozzi win the first ever Italian gold in biathlon, with a silver medal in snowboard in the middle.

Tripple Gold for Franjo von Allmen  and the surprising medals from Gregor Deschwanden in ski jumping, Nadja Kälin in cross country and the bronze of Team Vogt today 

Yes, I need to know the results of the Atlantis Games that gives two spots in quidditch and whether Bullerby is going to accept the universality quota in one of 67 swimming events.

America's 33 medals came in 11 different sports.  Italy's 30 came from 10.
 
Netherland's 20 medals came in just 2.  (ST and LT SS, of course)

From a  point of view a group of 17 athletes that walked away with 3 medals, 11 top 8s and 13 top 10s. Which is ok with a country that only has snow at one specific place for roughly 3 months of the year and isnt known for winter sports. The only blemish we got no golds which is a bit of a disappointment considering we got 2 last time round. But a lot more place getters, in that aspect it's never been better. We have lots of talent in the park and pipe but would love to diversify a little bit and grow the team. But other than that I thought Australia did really well and Brazil. So it's nice to see the Southern Hemisphere get medals, hopefully more in the near future.

Yes 1896-1936 it's counted as GER (1920,24 summer and 1924 winter Olympics banned so no medals)

Pre WWII Germany (no matter which form of government so applies to pre and post 1933 as well) competed as GER , same as now 

China risking too much here, gift event that has been added for the US.

Putting Canadian curling back on the map after two disappointing Olympics in a row 
 
Very happy for Gallant and Tardi in particular, as you may know Gallant was in mixed doubles last week and really struggled, if he made half as many shots as he missed they probably would've been in contention for a medal. Glad he was able to block that out of his head and rebound in a big way, winning his first Olympic gold. For Tardi, after being able to get a game in as an alternate, the  emotion of just being able to represent Canada, you could tell how much it meant to him. He's hilarious on his Instagram page, but also might genuinely be one of the nicest curlers ever. Hopefully he gets his chance on his own team someday, still young in curling standards. 

Ok, but Sighel? Ghiotto? Fischnaller in snowbord alpine?, Giacomel? None of them won an individual medal here, and it was enough for at least one of them to take 2nd place... It hurts.

I am with you on this one. I am almost as disappointed that did not get the 3rd place at most as if I was Italian. 
Definitely much less (if at all) disappointed at the performance is as before the Olympics everyone knew that HU short track is out as a medal contender (at least for now) with that 
Italy definitely deserved the 3rd place with at least 10 sports they medalled in.
If the curling mixed doubles (where you were title holders) went into the final and then lost, would have the missing silver for 3rd place.
Obviously, other sports could've made up for that.
 

Nothing, it's just that the Netherlands took advantage of their historic opportunity here, and Italy lost it. We won't have a chance of finishing 3 in the medal table in future editions for the next 100 years, maybe even longer. Canada, Germany will wake up, Russia will return, France will be at home, etc. I simply regret the missed opportunity. Forgive me if I offended you or your country. 

Before the start of the Olympics, we never dreamed of 3rd, 4th, 7th, 11th, 14th and 20th places in biathlon. Thank you girls. It was incredible
 
  
 
 

Oléoléolé 
Are these the last medals of Italy or is there more?

Oléoléolé 
Are these the last medals of Italy or is there more?

Wow. It's official now - 6/6

At the 1928 Olympics, Argentina finished 4th and 5th in the Five-man event. Could have had a bronze if they didn't mess up the second run.
I wonder how it could have shaped Argentina's position in winter sports, had they won that medal.

didn't go to the right places, then 😉
however, the true best Neapolitan coffee is made with a small machinery called "moka" , not that thing you find in bars and restaurants ☝️

You do definitively feel the Italian influence in New Jersey. Italian Americans have a pretty interesting culture.