Torino 2006

The Olympics have finally arrived.

Hopefully it won't be plagued with drug scandals, uncompleted/faulty venues or the debt it will incur. Do most of these things usually happen during the summer Olympics? Part of the alpine broadcasting media center containing 80 TV studios did collapse the other day.

Japan has a good chance to win medals in the following events:
Snowboarding - Melo Imai and Domu Narita
Speed Skating - Joji Kato and Hiroyasu Shimizu
Moguls - Aiko Uemura
Figure Skating - Shizuka Arakawa, Fumie Suguri and Miki Ando

It's unfortunate they couldn't send 15 year old figure skating phenomenon Mao Asada due to age restrictions, who had the best chance of winning a metal among all the Japanese athletes.

There has also been reports Miko Ando, the only female skater to have pulled off a quadruple Sal Chow in competition, has gained about 5kg since living/training in America. Which could be the reason for not trying the jump in any competition since. Her American coach Carol Heiss Jenkins admitted she had no diet restrictions for Ando. It's estimated each kg will lower your jump by 3cm. All that Jack in the Box could be costly. Actually, I could use a Sourdough Jack burger now.

I do look forward to see Aiko Uemura pulling off some big tricks in the moguls competition.

Canada should win gold in ice hockey.

Good luck to all the athletes. Ganbare Nippon!