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Check out the medals podium — you'll likely see Americans
By Brad Rock
Deseret News sports columnist
By now it's obvious America's Olympians are making the most of their golden opportunity. They're employing the familiar Latin phrase carpe diem, which interpreted means "Eat my ice shavings."
They're even getting a little proprietary.
This is their yard and they're doing pretty much what they want in it.
Check the medals podium; Americans are all over it. Turn on the television for a few minutes, and you're sure to see one, two or even three on display. "The Star Spangled Banner" is getting more air time than Bob Costas.
In part, that's because the 2002 Winter Games are in the Land of the Free, Home of the Big Gulp. The other part is Americans are, well, taking names and kicking ice.
One thing you can say about Americans: They're early risers. They like to tackle business first, play later. The Games were only a few hours old when the first American medal was claimed. No reason to wait until the last minute. In fact, they had trouble waiting for the first.
Six days into competition, the United States has already logged 10 medals. That's just four short of an all-time high — and there are still 10 days left. Several months ago, the USOC set a goal of 20 medals. Sports Illustrated figured on 22. How quaint. Now it seems the Americans could reach the prediction offered by the Associated Press: 32.
The mining for precious metals (medals?) began last Saturday with skier Shannon Bahrke's second-place finish in moguls. In some publications, she wasn't even among the favorites. That didn't seem to bother her in the least. She simply worked herself into a winning frame of mind. It was the usual formula, thinking of family, friends, country.
A few hours later she was wearing a new silver necklace.
Every day someone, usually wearing a red, white and blue facial sticker, comes home with a medal. Saturday: silver in men's 5,000-meter speedskating and women's moguls; Sunday: gold in women's halfpipe; Monday: a sweep in the men's halfpipe; Tuesday: gold and bronze in men's 500-meter speedskating and silver in men's moguls; Wednesday: silver in men's combined.
And don't forget Friday night's opening ceremonies.
Americans scored big points in that, too.
The drill is to get up, win a few medals, return to the Olympic Village.
Americans aren't just saying these are their home-country Games, they're saying they are their property. Nobody wants to plan a party, then fall asleep. So Picabo Street didn't get her medal in the downhill. No problem. Travis Mayer surprised everyone with his silver medal in the moguls. Maybe Daron Rahlves didn't live up to his potential in the downhill. Don't sweat the small stuff. The men's halfpipe crew cleaned up, finishing 1-2-3.
Such an enthusiastic medals run really isn't really so surprising. This has been building. The United States won 13 medals in Nagano four years ago, tying a record set four years earlier. Now it appears it will easily eclipse that total.
Moreover, Americans have always done well on their own ice and snow. In 1932 and 1980, at Lake Placid, they won 12 medals apiece. The six gold medals at each remains an American record. The 1932 total marked the only time Americans have won more medals than any other country.
In the 1960 Olympics at Squaw Valley, Americans took home another 10 medals, three of them gold.
It's safe to say home is where their hearts are.
Counting this year, the United States has won 166 medals in the Winter Games, 44 of them in America.
There are more where those came from. Americans could win two or three medals each in remaining alpine events, bobsled, figure skating, speedskating, hockey and skeleton. Thanks to America's latest sensation, Apolo Anton Ohno, they could collect another four in short-track speedskating.
Which brings to mind another familiar phrase: They haven't even warmed up yet.
E-mail: rock@desnews.com
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February 15, 2002
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