By Amelia Kibbe
Features Assignment Editor
It’s Olympic season yet again.
Every two years the world comes together to participate in the most recognized international sporting event. This year, the Winter Olympics are taking place in Sochi, Russia. Though the athletic action began last night, the opening ceremonies launch tonight.
NBC plans to have complete coverage, but it will not all be live due to the time difference between the United States and Russia.
The Olympics are popular with Bonaventure students. Many are already scheduling when they’ll watch, counting down the hours until they see their favorite athletes and making predictions about outcomes.
Shaun White, a gold medal hopeful, will lead the US snowboarding team, and while speed skater Apolo Ohno will not compete, he will provide commentary for this year’s games. The Buffalo Sabres have four rostered players competing, with goalie Ryan Miller defending the goal for Team USA. Henrik Tallinder and Jhonas Enroth will play for Team Sweden and Zemgus Girgensons will join Team Latvia.
Three students eagerly looking forward to the Olympics are Nick Konotopskij, Sebastian Bellm and Josh Lewis. The three share a suite in Shay Hall and have been planning an Olympic viewing party for some time.
“I think I’m most excited for the team sports like hockey and bobsledding,” Lewis, a sophomore accounting major said. “I like how many of the Olympic sports are ones you don’t get to watch very often. It makes them more entertaining. I’m also looking forward to speed skating. It is so fascinating to watch.”
Konotopskij, a sophomore journalism and mass communication major, agreed with Lewis, adding he will be watching the action daily.
“I’m going to watch snowboarding, downhill skiing and hockey, to name a few,” he said. “I also want to watch curling because it’s one of my favorite Olympic sports. I think it’s awesome.”
Bellm, a sophomore accounting and finance major, has been looking forward to the events for a long time. He has predictions about outcomes for almost every sport, whether it’s for a team or an individual.
“I’m going to watch practically everything,” Bellm said. “I especially like the team speed skating, but I’ll watch the individual too. Although I’d like the U.S. to win everything, I’m betting that Canada will win hockey and curling. They usually do. On the other hand, the US generally wins all the snowboarding events, so I’m betting on them in that.”
Bellm added he is especially looking forward to Gretchen Bleiler and Shaun White in snowboarding, but he added that he was disappointed Lindsey Vonn was not competing. Vonn pulled out of the competition after suffering a knee injury this year.
“It’s too bad that Vonn won’t be in the Olympics this year,” Bellm said. “She is always fun to watch and very competitive, but there are plenty of other good athletes to watch.”
Lewis and Konotopskij, both from Western New York, have high hopes for hometown hero Ryan Miller.
“It’s nice that someone from around my area is playing in the Olympics,” Konotopski said. “I enjoy watching him play for the Sabres and having him play in the Olympics is even better.”
Lewis added he was glad the Olympics are finally here. NBC has been airing commercials for some time, but now the action will really begin.
“I can’t wait for the Olympics to begin,” he said. “Go Ryan Miller.”
