So here it is, a spotlight on athletes that captured my attention. This isn't a full list; naming every single awesome athlete would take forever.
Athletes That Made An Impression On Me At The Vancouver Olympics
Xue Shen & Hongbo Zhao - Figure Skating (China)
I have to be honest and admit that when I heard they were competing in the 2010 Olympics, I was annoyed. They are way older and much more experienced than the rest of the competition, so I thought they should just retire from professional figure skating with grace. But their mastery was just too much to resist; there's a reason they won gold. Their long program skate was perfect.
Joannie Rochette - Figure Skating (Canada)
I can only dream of having the kind of courage and will-power that Rochette has; watching her skate the short program and in the gala was an emotional roller coaster, knowing what she was going through. Winning bronze was more than what anyone required of her. She's a true hero.
Marianne St-Gelais - Short Track Speed Skating (Canada)
This girl is crazy! I loved the cheerful exuberance she showed when she got up on the podium for her silver medal, but it was watching her in the stands going completely bananas over her boyfriend Charles Hamelin races that made me love her the most. Her spirit is amazing!
Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir - Figure Skating (Canada)
Oh man, where to start with these two? Quite frankly, nothing in the entire Olympics gripped me as much as their quest for gold. I never used to never care about ice dancing, just men's/women's/pairs skating, but everything has changed now due to the sweet perfection and chemistry of these two... and the next two athletes I'm going to mention.
Meryl Davis & Charlie White - Figure Skating (USA)
Adorable as well; training mates and best friends with Virtue & Moir, these skaters are just as good as their Canadian counterparts, with loads of flair and artistry. And there's something very striking about Davis that I really like.
Kim Yu-Na - Figure Skating (South Korea)
Yu-Na is unlike any skater I've ever seen before. Watching her skate is like watching a poem come to life. She gets lost in the music when she's out on the ice, the picture of quiet maturity. And then when she breaks character you get a sense of just how young she still is. After she won the gold, I've started calling her Queen Yu-Na. :)
Hayley Wickenheiser - Hockey (Canada)
For me, she has become the face of women's hockey in Canada. She's such an amazing, talented, and dedicated captain. I love how she pulls her team together. I love that she carried her son on the ice soon after they won the gold medal game. You're awesome, Hayley!
Apolo Anton Ohno - Short Track Speed Skating (USA)
The guy is so tiny compared to the other skaters but man he can move! It's amazing how he pulls off some of his passes. Plus, it's fun to say his name. :)
Wang Meng - Short Track Speed Skating (China)
Every time our Canadian women competed in an event with her, I'd scream "OH NO, WANG MENG!" Because with Wang Meng around, you cannot win. She is a machine... a perpetual skating machine. Kudos to the fastest, most tireless skater in the world!
It seems to be that I have a thing for skaters, eh? Especially figure skaters! I think I may have to follow Worlds when it starts on March 22nd. :)
