Wow, there were two big differences with this Olympics compared to any other I have ever been to. First and the most obvious is that because I was not competing, I could take in every aspect the Olympic Games had to offer. I could relax, did not have to be so intense and focused, and there was no pressure. Just me and my family, covering Alpine skiing and the stories that surrounded it, and getting to meet and talk to some really amazing people. Secondly, the Winter Olympics are so much smaller therefore much more intimate: both with the athletes and the fans. Plus, being in Whistler we were even further removed from the absolute craziness of the crowds and rowdiness. Don’t get me wrong, there were an incredible amount of fans and people in Whistler, but you could walk around and see people you met the day before, have a favorite breakfast spot where you knew the menu and made friends with the people who worked there. This would NEVER have happened in Beijing or Athens. But a lot of that is also credited to just the Canadian way of life …

2010 Winter Olympics, Opening Ceremonies

2010 Winter Olympics, Opening Ceremonies

2010 Winter Olympics, Opening Ceremonies

I attended my first Opening Ceremonies from the stands, and it did not disappoint. One of the highlights was attending it with friends at Nike (including trainer Jeanette Jenkins and actress/rapper Queen Latfiah) and just being able to take it all in. It was an amazing ceremony with some awesome performances (Sarah McLachlin, Bryan Adams, Nelly Furtado and KD Lang) and a unique look at the aboriginal and indigenous cultures of Canada. The streets outside of the ceremony were like one gigantic parade. People all around the world had come to celebrate the Olympic Games, and I was right there with them.

We stayed in Vancouver for a few more nights and then headed to Whistler to get started working as a host reporter for Yahoo! Sports. I was covering Alpine skiing with our analyst/skier Bryon Friedman. I had a blast hanging out with the Yahoo! crew, going to events, interviewing athletes, and just taking in the Olympics. It really just felt like I was hanging out with friends, talking about all the cool stories of the Olympics. Here are few stories that I did if you want to check them out: http://sports.yahoo.com/video/player/woly/Olympic_News/18282537 and http://sports.yahoo.com/video/player/woly/Alpine_Skiing/18301539.

Interviewing Julia Mancuso after her two silver medals

Interviewing Julia Mancuso after her two silver medals

I was able to hit the slopes and do some snowboarding and Adam and I had a “date” and did some fun snowmobiling through the majestic Cougar Canyon. The highlight of the trip was probably getting front row seats to see the gold medal women’s hockey game. I have never been to a hockey game and to see it right up against the glass, players pounding into it at full speed, plus the tremendous atmosphere of the Canadian fans, it was one of the best sporting events I have ever been to in my life. Adam and Caleb came too (we had ear plugs for Caleb) and we sat with skiing legend Picabo Street and her son (same age as Caleb) Dax. Even though the US lost, it was such a great representation of a nation’s love for hockey and two amazing teams fighting for the ultimate: gold.

Caleb at the hockey game

Women's Hockey

Olympic Diapers

Picabo street and dax.JPG

Look Out!

Beautiful Whistler

I do have to admit, after seeing our women take the silver, and the roll of emotions that took place on their faces and in every American heart in that stadium, it reminded me so much of when we took silver in Beijing. So much work and heart goes into every day over four years of training and preparing all for that one dream: to win an Olympic gold medal. When I went down to the ice to give friend and four-time Olympian Angela Ruggiero a hug, I could feel Beijing and the emotions all over again. Needless to say, Adam and I spent the rest of the night (and it was his birthday — poor guy!) having a moment for the future of softball as tears rolled down our faces. Sad night for the US, but in the end I know the future is so bright for sports like hockey and softball (at the very least) here in the US. So many young girls want to play and be a part of these sports, and the fact they have the opportunity to play is what really matters most.

Luge View

Skiing

This family will never forget our experience at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler. I was able to see the games from a different perspective then I ever have before, and I am so grateful to Yahoo! Sports and Nike for making this be one of the most memorable experiences for the three (we will have to remind Caleb with pictures later) of us. Now back to making more opportunities for girls to play and live their dreams as well! Go USA!!!

Love it, Dream it, Live it!!
Jessica Mendoza #2

View Original Post at jmendoza.com

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