JoshMartini007

I don't think a sport or event should be eliminated because it is dominated by one nation. No one is calling for basketball to be removed because the US always win. What matters more is how many nations actively compete and for a winter sport speed skating is fine. Nordic combined may want to watch itself if there ever comes a time to shrink the number of sports.

Patrick Chan alone won't be able to cost us a gold medal, at this point 2/3 events would have to underperform along with Russia overperforming. Of course anything can happen, but if it does I feel Canada is going to have a repeat of 2012 where winning gold will be almost impossible.

Yeah, the only change we've made was in the women's singles and at worst it was a lateral move. The figure skating program wants gold.

I guess the main site is wrong then...

I hope everyone does better, that men's short program was horrible. At this point Canada just needs to keep an eye on the Olympic Athletes from Russia. We could clinch after the men's free skate if we gain three points on Russia

Overall a good day for Canada, winning medals in the expected events, including two in slopestyle. Also a good performance in luge, finishing 6th. We also had a victory in women's ice hockey and finished first in the group stage in mixed double curling. The figure team skating event has us in a good place to win our first gold medal, it looks like Patrick Chan will skate the free program.

Nations are allowed to make two substitutions. I feel given the schedule the pairs will be one of the subs, the other will depend on health or want of the athletes (though Scott/Tessa have been on record at wanting to perform both skates). Subbing Patrick Chan for Keegan Messing will be the largest drop in quality though given only five teams compete in the final at worst it would cost us 4 points, more likely less since I don't see the Russian beating out Japan or United States' skater.

Yeah, it's a shame we didn't win a medal. Our two chances weren't guaranteed, but I thought it would have been enough for one medal. Curling is chugging along, Norway must be glad they got us at our worst. Luge looks promising though a medal in the men's singles is on the outside. Men's slopestyle was good and is shaping up to be a Canada vs. Norway affair

South Korea is ranked 22nd while Switzerland is ranked 6th. This would be like if the Czech Republic played Ukraine on the men's side, it was always going to be a blowout.

Nobody wants to wake up early and go to work on the weekend

To be fair it was night time in South Korea...

You're probably right. 16 years would be the shortest time span for a nation to host the winter games twice. It also doesn't help that Europe hasn't hosted in a while either. 2030 is more plausible though if there is little competition we may sneak in.

Makes sense, they are already hosting in 2028. This helps Canada should they submit a bid.

I wouldn't count Russia out for gold just yet

Canada played poorly in its first curling match (didn't watch the second one). At least six teams are 1-1 so we are essentially at a best of 5, hopefully they'll get use to the ice. Ski jumping went as expected (somewhere in the middle of the pack)

It's a shame that there are athletes eliminated before the opening ceremony (though I imagine most will compete in the large hill)

Canada played poorly in that match. Morris was having trouble getting use to the ice, hopefully it'll get better.

Calgary and the nearby mountains have the capacity to host most things. Curling, figure skating, ice hockey and short track speed skating could be placed in Edmonton (or Red Deer or Lethbridge)

Maybe it's because I'm from Canada, but a five hour drive isn't so bad. It is also a good way to save money on infrastructure.

It also helps the team event. With only 4 athletes per team it really limits a nation if they pick an apparatus specialist. Any team member would realistically have to be good in at least two events to make the team (except the US women's team, they could send three athletes and still win gold ).

Yeah, things are quite complicated. I'm really glad they are giving apparatus specialists a chance at qualifying. Criteria 6 and 7 is a bit interesting for NOCs whom qualified a team. Those athletes won't be allowed to compete in the team event so in theory they wouldn't be strong all-around athletes. I guess it's an additional way to qualify apparatus specialists from NOCs with teams (since they aren't eligible under criterion 4), but then we're back to those athletes trying to qualify through all-around events.

I had Canada with 25-30 medals so that isn't too surprising.

I'm relatively lucky in my timezone. I can watch the whole morning session after coming home from work. So I can watch half the Olympics without changing my sleep schedule. The major exception will be the opening ceremony...

Anyway, both bobsled and curling have a large online presence so it isn't too surprising that nations that don't care about winter sports would watch them the most on YouTube

I guess Africa, South and West Asia will be the powerhouses of curling one day...