TSJ's Top 10: Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Moments

Before the media turns their attention towards determining – and ultimately lambasting – the financial burden caused by the 2010 Games, let’s take a look back at ten of the most stunning, exciting and riveting moments from the past 16 days that, despite the warm and wet Vancouver weather, left everyone with the kind of chills befitting of a Winter Olympics.

Ovechkin Nails Jagr With A Huge Hit

10. Check on Czech – Alex Ovechkin’s Open-Ice Obliteration Of Jaromir Jagr
Rarely do you ever see such a devastating open-ice hit in Olympic hockey. But when do you ever see one superstar flatten another on a world stage? The answer is never. That was until Ovechkin drilled Jagr at Centre ice during the Russian-Czech round-robin game, a hit so hard it cracked Jagr’s visor. The resounding shockwaves from that hit could be felt everywhere – it led directly to Russia’s game-winning goal, it signaled the beginning of the end for Jagr and the rest of his Czech mates for the tournament, and it cemented the changing-of-the-guard from old blood to new in Men’s Hockey.

9. Double Dutch? Not So Much – Speedskater Sven Kramer Loses Gold After Coach’s Gaffe
This will certainly go down as the biggest blooper from the 2010 Games. Sven Kramer, on pace to win his 2nd Gold of the Games, gets DQ’d in the 10,000m after his coach emphatically and erroneously instructs the Dutch star to change lanes during his skate. The look on Coach Gerard Kemkers’ face when pushed aside by the inconsolable Kramer afterward said it all. Now comes the recent news that Kramer is “considering” a change to his coaching team. Imagine that.

8. Double McTwist – USA’s Shaun White Wins Gold In Men’s Halfpipe
It was equal parts impressive and unprecedented. Shaun White dazzled onlookers during the Men’s Halfpipe when he unleashed his own personal trick – the Double McTwist 1260 – en route to his 2nd Olympic Gold Medal. Many wondered why White would even attempt such a daring trick on his snowboard after already clinching the gold following his winning first attempt. Um, did somebody say McDollars? Somehow I could see White parlaying this into a sponsorship deal with a certain fast food giant. I mean, a Double McTwist with fries would taste awfully good right now, wouldn’t it?

For Miller, Revenge Was A Dish Best Served Cold

7. It’s Miller Time In Vonn-couver – Bode Miller And Lindsey Vonn Win Gold As USA Dominates Alpine Skiing
These two Americans made headlines throughout the Games, just for different reasons. The 32-year old Miller – once the bad boy of the Men’s ski circuit – entered the 2010 Olympics with little fanfare after bottoming out with zero medals in Turin despite entering as a heavy favourite. Miller rebounded in style in Vancouver, winning three medals – including a Gold in the Men’s Super-Combined – to reestablish himself as one of the greatest USA skiers of all-time. Meanwhile, Vonn – the current darling of Women’s skiing – shook off a potentially devastating shin injury suffered prior to the Games to win Gold in the coveted Downhill event, to go along with her bronze in Women’s Super-G.

Moir and Virtue Displayed A Rare Elegance

6. Dance Fever – Canada’s Scott Moir And Tessa Virtue Strike Gold In Ice Dance
Ice dance wouldn’t normally register on TSJ’s Top Ten of anything, except for perhaps “10 things I’ll never write about in my life”. Yet somehow Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, in becoming the youngest Ice Dance Gold Medalists in Olympic History, changed all that. Never before have I witnessed a Canadian (or pair, in this case) perform with the grace, poise and confidence under the international spotlight the way Moir and Virtue did. The Gold was literally – and figuratively – theirs from the moment they took to the ice.

5. Canada’s Newest Mogul – Alex Bilodeau Becomes First Canadian To Win Gold On Home Soil
Sure, it was only a matter of time before some lucky Canuck accomplished the task. Still, following only silvers and bronzes in Montreal ‘76 and Calgary ‘88, Bilodeau will forever be remembered for his inspiring performance in winning gold for Canada – in Canada – in Men’s Moguls.

4. Cross-Country Courage – Slovenia’s Petra Majdic Overcomes Injury To Win Bronze
It’s challenging enough just trying to win an Olympic Medal, let alone accomplishing the feat with five broken ribs and a punctured lung. But that’s exactly what Majdic pulled off in winning bronze in the Women’s Individual Cross-Country Sprint, giving Slovenia its first ever medal in the sport. After taking a horrible spill into a gulley during a practice run, which left her with multiple injuries, the 30-year old sucked it up big time to both qualify and medal. Who says Slovenian women aren’t tough? After this display, no one will ever dare to again.

A Good Ol' Fashioned Canadian Gold Medal Party

3. Break Out The Bubbly – Canadian Women’s Hockey Team Celebrates In Style
Guts. That’s the word that best sums up the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team. They may have showed guts in winning the Gold via a 2-0 decision over Team USA, but that was nothing in comparison to the guts it took for the entire team to return to the ice at Canada Hockey Place, well after the medal ceremony was over, complete with champagne, beer and cigars in hand. While the IOC investigates this apparent travesty (one of the Canadian girls is underage), it’s hats off to Canada’s Golden Girls for their spontaneous – and refreshing (mmm, beer) – display of celebration.

Rochette's Determination May Never Be Matched

2. Inspiration On Ice – Joannie Rochette Overcomes Tragedy To Win Bronze
There was no story more moving than Joannie Rochette’s during the 2010 Olympics. After losing her 55-year old mother on the eve of her competition, Rochette persevered with awe-inspiring performances in both the short and long programs, winning her an unthinkable bronze medal in Ladies’ Figure Skating. Her portrayal of strength and courage throughout earned both her and Majdic 2010 Terry Fox Award, along with the honour of carrying the Canadian Flag during Closing Ceremonies.

For Crosby and Canada, the Olympics Were Truly Golden

1. Own The Podium – Sidney Crosby Scores OT Winner To Secure 14th Gold Medal For Canada
Crosby’s overtime winner in a thrilling Gold Medal Game vs. Team USA provided a fitting end to a hugely successful Olympic Games for Canada. Fans were treated to legitimately one of the greatest games in hockey history, with the win also securing an Olympic-record 14th Gold Medal for the home nation. Mission accomplished. As for Crosby, he obtains god-like status by officially replacing Paul Henderson atop the list of biggest goals scored in Canadian hockey history.

(This article is dedicated to Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, who perished during the Games. May he not soon be forgotten.)