Home Is Where the Heart is, but Duty Calls

So much has happened at the Vancouver Olympics in just three days.

Many of us of a certain vintage or older remember the old Wide World of Sports show and it's telling words, "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat." We've seen that already in Vancouver, plus rain, protestors, unthinkable sadness, resolve amidst personal grief, hydraulics malfunctions and, yeah, more rain.

Well, I've "seen" it all from home. I head to B.C. today to take up the cudgel of covering the women's and men's hockey tournaments, but so far I've watched on TV from home, the place where most Canadians view these competitions.

It's the first time in four Olympics the Games have started for me in my living room watching with my family, and it's kind of nice. Great, actually.

It was my son who excitedly reported last night that he thought - wasn't quite sure - that Alex Bilodeau had won a gold medal, and we all rushed to the TV to see if he had it right. We watched Jenn Heil's terrific effort on Saturday night, and the moving, if slightly messed up, opening ceremonies on Friday.

Being here with my family allowed us to conjure up some Olympic memories we'll all remember, and that's special.

The reality, you see, is that while covering Olympic hockey is a privilege and a pleasure, for the most part it means you miss out on all the other parts of the Olympics, from the hills to the curling to the figure skating. While magic is being made in those events, I've usually been in the bowels of an arena or watching a hockey game.

That's no complaint, and I'm well aware many would love a chance to do the job I have. But it's a reality - as colleague Dave Perkins often says, if you're covering the Olympics, they all take place in Omaha, Nebraska - and so it was truly a pleasure to have a couple of days to watch on TV before going to join the party.

I actually have a feel for these Games from afar that I might not yet have if I was actually in Vancouver. Strange, huh?

There's part of me that would gladly sit by the fire and watch the rest of it unfold with the family. But off we go.

Comments

[Luke]

Want to be a hydrogeologist, and I'll be the reporter?
I'll even pay for my own flight to Vancouver ; p

[Aron from Sweden]

Have a great trip! Been following your column for a couple of years, keep up the good work and enjoy your time in Van city.

[Piker]

Been there done that Damien. Calgary 88. WHile it was a thrill to be there & experience the Olympics, it is so much better observed from home. That said, I too would jump at a chance to cover another Games! In 88 is was Ski Jumping...now I think I it would be Curling....Have a great time Damo!

[MacGregrrrr the Terrier-ist]

You're right about the "miracle" of television - I remember watching Hockey Night in Canada when I was in Kabul, and thinking what a difference from the trenches of the First World War ... "when duty calls" ...