Looking forward to Pyeongchang 2018
Mcgill students tune in to the Winter Olympics
The 2018 Winter Olympics begin February 9, in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Several stories have dominated the coverage so far — namely, the exclusion of Russia by the International Olympic Committee ( IOC) after the discovery of a state- sponsored doping program. More recently, it was confirmed that North Korea will attend, and claims were made that a joint women’s hockey team will be formed between the two Koreas. For Canada, the run- up to the games has been less eventful. The National Hockey League’s ( NHL) decision to ban its players from competition sparked worries that the Canadian men’s hockey team will face a challenge against stronger European teams.
The Mcgill Daily asked students from Mctavish to Mcmed if they’re going to tune in, what events they’ll watch, and why.
Jeremy, Finance
“I was interested in hockey but now that Nhlers aren’t going . . . I don’t know. Probably more European teams will do better. Team Canada is based on the Spengler Cup team and USA is mostly based on junior players so I feel it will be less interesting but of course I will hope Canada wins.”
Colin, Food Science
“My favourite winter sport would be the ski jump. I like winter sports especially cause it’s like, how do you get into this? It’s hard to do a baby step first. Especially with ski jumping, how do you get your parents on board with that?”
Johnson, Physiotherapy
“I don’t watch the Winter Olympics . . . I didn’t even know it was happening to be honest.”
Sophia, Political Science
“My favourite olympic sport is biathlon. It seems practical. Also if you’re over 30 you can still get into that . . . there’s 35 year olds killing it in that and they only got into it when they were 28!
Hugo, Materials Engineering
“For the Winter Olympics I’m interested in mostly the hockey, alpine skiing, just cause it’s so fast paced and athletes take a lot of risks in that sport and some of the freestyle events. I heard this year there’s going to be snowboarding and a couple new events, but I’m not really sure what they are. Hockey gets really exciting cause I’m American and I like the rivalry between America and Canada and then sometimes Russia. Now that Nhlers aren’t allowed, it seems like Americans are sending some retirees and I think Canada are sending some younger players, but America also has a good college program so we’ll see.”
Kieran, Biology
“I just watch [the Winter Olympics] when it’s on the screens, you know, in a restaurant it’s just on, and you end up watching it. I’m a big fan of snowboarding cause I used to skateboard when I was young so I see similarities there. Balancing on a board, that kind of thing.”
Josh, Finance
“I like to watch Canada and support all the young people [who] succeed in the sports they’ve dedicated their lives to, whether it be skiing, hockey, or frankly anything. I’m always going to watch the hockey. Everything else is kind of secondary.”
Jason, Latin American Studies
“I’m excited to watch the US hockey team. It’ll also be interesting to see the dynamics between North and South Korea, from what I’ve heard about their women’s hockey teams doing a joint team. And the absence of Russia will be . . . nice.”
Tommy, Biology
“I’m excited to watch some weird sports that I never really see anywhere else. Bobsledding and luge are cool just for the wild speeds that they’re doing and the alien outfits. Biathlon I think is really stylish, I would love to ski around with a gun on my back. Finally, I’m probably most excited to watch freestyle skiing because it is actually a really impressive sport. They have to ski down some really steep moguls and then be able to go off a huge jump, do some flips and land right back in some more moguls. I think that’s impressive.”
Aidan, Economics
“Excited for the curling really, Cheryl Homan is the one to watch, as she’s heading up Canada’s team. That’s really all I’m interested in, she’s a dominant curler.”
Dorian, Computer Science
“I’m excited, although I’m not really following it. I’d be excited to see France compete as that’s my country. I’d say the cross country skiing is fun. I like the biathlon. Apart from that, downhill skiing and that’s about it.” Sean, Arts “I’m actually not that interested not for lack of interest . . . I just don’t think I have time to give a shit about sports. It’s hard to balance school and games.”
Rebecca, Architecture
“I guess curling is the best. What I really dig about that sport is the way you have to throw the stone with just the right weight. And then when the stones smash together that really gets me going. Bang!”
Zachary, Mechanical Engineering
“I’m going to watch the Winter Olympics mostly ‘cause I’m a ski racer and I always watch ski racing but especially the Olympics are exciting. It’s really dope to see top level athletes in something that happens only every four years. And I think all the events are really entertaining. Luge is really cool.”
Annabella, Linguistics
“I don’t really know much, but I remember Alex Bilodeau doing the moguls [at Vancouver 2010]. I only know about the Winter Olympics in isolation, with Vancouver 2010.”