My winter Olympic memories go way back. Black and white TV. Skating was done outside. Most winter events were outside. I remember watching skaters do compulsory figure 8s, following a track on the ice. I watched Peggy Fleming. She was amazing. I watched 13-year-old Stephanie Westerfield skate in the 1962 World Championship after the entire ’61 USA Olympic skating team was killed in a plane crash. I watched Jean-Claude Killy ski. He was fast!
In recent years I’ve come to love curling and snowboarding, certainly nothing I grew up with.
It was Jim McKay and the Wide World of Sports every Saturday afternoon that brought more than sports into our living rooms on television. He gave us the Olympics. “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” became a hallmark for sports, and the Olympics.
I was glued, and have been since childhood. There have been so many wonderful Olympic events. Hubby and I were in New York with friends in 1980. They tried to get us tickets to the USA hockey game, but the day before our friend was at a game and reached up to catch a puck. Ouch. We watched that game on TV. Yes, it was Miracle on Ice.
The Olympics have always had a profound effect on me. It’s more than sports; it’s countries competing together in an air of unity. It’s fierce competition, balanced with respect and friendship. This should be a roadmap for the world.
For example, when USA played Denmark in men’s ice hockey this week, at the end of the game the Denmark players all shook hands with the referees. Wow.
And the Scandinavian countries that are ruling the roost in the Olympics? I’m not surprised. Outdoors is their favorite place to be, unlike many Americans, especially children. They outrank America in education because from childhood they are outside and physically active, which stimulates the brain and learning. Win-Win for them!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
It’s good to have this healthy tradition bringing athletes together, setting examples of excellence.
Very much so!
I too love the Olympics for the very same reasons. I have been lucky enough to have lived in two host cities, Calgary 1988 and Vancouver 2010. What amazing times. The spirit, the comradery, the excitement, the pride. It was contagious.
Contagious is a wonderful description. Yes, you were very lucky!
This post brought back so many memories. I remember listening to the hockey game on the radio and the excitement of the final minute. And who could ever forget Jim McKay and the wild world of sports, it occupied every Saturday for me as well. Thanks, Jennie.
Yes, yes!! Wonderful memories, Steve!
Im very fond of ice skating, and have watched some this year, good to see everyone united for a change!
Yes, it’s so good to see. I’m enjoying the figure skating, too.
Loved this post, Jennie. I used to watch the Olympics years ago but for some reason stopped. I think there was too much controversy for awhile. I remember some of the same things. I think you have a point about Scandinavian countries having their children outside more. I don’t remember getting to be outside much at all in school anywhere. It does make a difference. Good sportsmanship is rare around here.
Thanks for your wonderful comment, Marlene. I’m glad you remember some of these things, too. There’s so much good happening in the Olympics. I hope you watch a bit this week. Yes, the world can take note on education in Scandinavian countries… but the don’t seem to do that. Sigh! I don’t remember being outside much at school either.
Like you, I love watching the Olympics and have nostalgic memories from childhood. It’s fun to see the former Olympians I have watched over the years in the stands cheering on this generation.
Hi Alethea, I’m glad you enjoy the Olympics, too. Lucky us to have many good memories. Many of the former athletes over here are announcers. Nice!
I also like the Winter Olympics. I’ve always enjoyed watching ice skating in any form.
Same here, Robbie!
I’m glad you are enjoying it, Jennie. I haven’t watched any sports since my late teens, as my dad watched every sport, whatever it was, and dominated TV watching in our house. And the Olympics became quite selectively political some years ago, which upset me. For example, Russia is banned from the Winter Olympics because of the attack on Ukraine, (perhaps rightly so) but Israel is allowed to compete despite a widely-televised genocide in Gaza. If you are going to exclude politics and war from participation in sports, that’s fine. But it should apply to every country, or no country at all. Just my personal opinion of course.
Best wishes, Pete.
And your opinion is very valid, Pete. I can understand your dad’s TV sports domination becoming a turn-off, too. Best to you.
Like you, Jennie, I am a big fan of the Olympics and what it stands for, or at least should stand for. While I much prefer the Summer Olympics, the Winter games are fun to watch.
I also grew up with Jim McKay and the Wide World of Sports, still one of my favorite TV shows of all time. Thanks for bringing back the memory!
I’m glad I brought back memories for you, Jim. I loved the Wide World of Sports! Nothing is perfect, and at least the Olympics brings more unity and sportsmanship that most.
I think I prefer the Olympics compared to college sports. To me, money and easy transferring have ruined college sports.
I feel the same way. As soon as money crept into college sports, it changed, and not for the better. The Olympics is the pure joy and passion for the sport.
I agree, but there’s money in the Olympics as well. But at least they are not trying to combine a college degree and playing college sports.
Exactly!
I have some of those same memories, Jennie. I do enjoy the Winter Olympics.
I’m so glad, Dan!
Miracle on Ice barely registered back in the day. Now, that clip–it brought me to tears.
Me, too!!
Thanks for sharing those wonderful memories, Jennie
Don, I couldn’t help but think of you and your wonderful Peggy Fleming post. I’m so glad you enjoyed this.
Down through the years the Olympics have been exciting. Thanks for the memory joggers.
I feel the same way, John. So glad I jogged your memory. 🙂
Me too. 😊
😀
Oh, Jim McKay and the wide world of sports. I watched that with my Dad. I fell in love the figure skaters when I was young girl as well. The Luge is always fun to watch too, and the downhill skiers.
Thank you for sharing your memories and waking up my own. 😊
Big smiles here, Deborah! I’m with you on all counts! So glad I could wake up your Olympic memories. 😀
I’ve always loved watching them and hearing the stories of the athletes, love this post, Jennie!
Me, too! I’m so glad you loved this post, Beth. 😀
Great example of sportsmanship by the Danish team. I’m pretty sure that is just part of the culture. Practically every live sporting event I’ve ever been to is spoiled by someone berating the officials. Do they make mistakes? Of course, they’re human. Still, what are they teaching their kids when these “fans” act like lunatics?
The Miracle on Ice is right near the top of what I would call the greatest upsets in sports. I still can hear broadcaster Al Michaels. (He still does the Thursday night football games) “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!!!” I read his autobiography; that iconic line was not planned in advance.
The original “agony of defeat” from Wide World of Sports came from this brutal ski jumping accident.
Yes, I think that Danish handshake is part of their culture. How nice! You’re right on berating the officials. What message does that send to kids? Fortunately we don’t see much of that in the Olympics.
Al Michaels! Yes, thanks for that memory. I remember him saying “Do you believe in miracles?” as clear as a bell. Unscripted, too!
I looked up the year of that terrible agony of defeat skiing accident. 1970. I thought it was earlier.
I remember the Miracle on Ice. It was a huge deal at the time. I used to enjoy watching figure skating and women’s gymnastics.
Me, too. All good memories!
😊
Oh my stars! Jim McKay and the Wide World of Sports! Fabulous memories, Jennie! ❤️🥰❤️
Yes! 💕
Fabulous memories and such lovely and wonderful videos of Miracle on Ice. I too would love seeing gymnatstics and couples dancing on ice. Lovely post Jennie.
Thank you, Kamal! I’m so glad you enjoyed these memories, too.
You are always welcome dear Jennie ❤️🙏
Thank you, Kamal!
Always welcome Jennie ❤️
Thank you, Kamal!
❤️❤️❤️
Wonderful post! My mom and I love watching the ice skating–my all-time favorite!
Me, too!