Tomorrow we will leave Whistler for Vancouver. Therefore, this will be the last blog of the 2010 Olympic Games.
In summary, it remains to be said that the organizers have provided us with a really decent games. They were well organized with motivated and friendly volunteers who always made one feel more than welcome. The Olympic Games are something special for every athlete and participation alone is an experience which remains unforgettable. Regarding the results, I can only say that Olympic has its own laws and we have seen a few surprises.
But that is exactly what it represents. Who would have thought in advance, for example, that Slovakia would take home a full set of medals in the biathlon? Disappointment goes hand in hand just as success does at the Olympics. The German Biathlon Men have never in history gone home without a medal. The Alpine Swiss racer Didier Cuche started as a clear medal candidate in almost all disciplines to Vancouver. He won none.
As with every Olympics, most athletes do not drive home immediately after the last race, but stay three or four days to watch other sports. However, we now realize how isolated the wax container cities at the Alpine and Nordic venues have been.
Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow will be the long Cross Country ski races. There’s a funny story about the double bronze medalist Czech Lukas Bauer. I saw him yesterday and congratulated him on his successes. He said the two medals were for his children and now he must win one on Sunday for himself. These athletes are simply unique.
On behalf of the whole Toko Race Service team with Heinz Kolly (alpine, snowboard), Jens Rischmüller and Björn Pfestorf (Nordic skiing, biathlon) and myself I would like to say goodbye and that I hope I have given you an interesting look behind the scenes of skiing.
From Whistler Steffen Hoos
