The Sochi Olympics have kicked off, and needless to say, they’ve been kind of a debacle. From the weeks-long media focus on Putin’s strong disregard for and legislative push against the LGBT community, to Pussy-Rioting, to international yogurt intrigue, to facilities and hotels with less-than-adequate accommodations, it’s been a rough go for Russia, and undoubtedly the athletes as well.
The Winter Games’ previous host, Vancouver, was a far more benign, if almost snow-less, venue. Thanks to the Colbert Nation raising $200,000 for the U.S. speed skating team, our fearless host found himself on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and hosting a week of shows for the Games. Let’s take a fond look back at the Winter Olympics that were (with functioning toilets.)
© Sports Illustrated
Graphic artist Shepard Fairey designed this beautiful (and legally kosher) poster in anticipation of TCR’s trip to Vancouver.
Prior to attending the Games, Stephen tried his hand at a variety of winter sports, including speed skating and curling. Most visually inspiring was Stephen’s turn as an Olympian bobsledder:
Our host began his coverage in a lovely outdoor venue, to a throng of ardent Canadian fans:
Let’s get another look at that super-boss Olympic garb he was wearing, a custom-made Winter games creation:
Stephen’s brother Ed, an international copyright attorney who had previously represented the Olympics in litigation matters, schools his little bro on how you can (and mostly can’t) talk about the Olympics on the air:
As the speed skating team’s “psychologist,” Stephen encourages the team mates to stay focused – on Stephen, as much as possible:
A great field piece resulted when Stephen visited the international houses of Switzerland, Ireland, and Russia:
“To make sure the athletes and visitors feel at home, each country has established its own international house, a cultural venue offering each country’s distinct food, drink, art, drink, music, drink, and drinks.”
Stephen taunts the Ruskies pretty badly when he beats them at a particularly contentious game of table hockey:
Stephen wins the hearts and minds of all the foreign visitors during his trip to the international houses.
He really gets his Irish on when he sings “The Rocky Road to Dublin” in this outtake. Aye, indeed:
Stephen wrapped up his coverage by coercing Michael Buble to sing “O Canada” to the tune of “The Star Spangled Banner”:
What were your favorite moments from the Vancouver Winter Games? What are you looking forward to from Sochi? Let us know in the comments!
A Look Back: 2010 Vancouver Olympics
The Sochi Olympics have kicked off, and needless to say, they’ve been kind of a debacle. From the weeks-long media focus on Putin’s strong disregard for and legislative push against the LGBT community, to Pussy-Rioting, to international yogurt intrigue, to facilities and hotels with less-than-adequate accommodations, it’s been a rough go for Russia, and undoubtedly the athletes as well.
The Winter Games’ previous host, Vancouver, was a far more benign, if almost snow-less, venue. Thanks to the Colbert Nation raising $200,000 for the U.S. speed skating team, our fearless host found himself on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and hosting a week of shows for the Games. Let’s take a fond look back at the Winter Olympics that were (with functioning toilets.)
© Sports Illustrated
Graphic artist Shepard Fairey designed this beautiful (and legally kosher) poster in anticipation of TCR’s trip to Vancouver.
Prior to attending the Games, Stephen tried his hand at a variety of winter sports, including speed skating and curling. Most visually inspiring was Stephen’s turn as an Olympian bobsledder:
Our host began his coverage in a lovely outdoor venue, to a throng of ardent Canadian fans:
Let’s get another look at that super-boss Olympic garb he was wearing, a custom-made Winter games creation:
Stephen’s brother Ed, an international copyright attorney who had previously represented the Olympics in litigation matters, schools his little bro on how you can (and mostly can’t) talk about the Olympics on the air:
As the speed skating team’s “psychologist,” Stephen encourages the team mates to stay focused – on Stephen, as much as possible:
A great field piece resulted when Stephen visited the international houses of Switzerland, Ireland, and Russia:
“To make sure the athletes and visitors feel at home, each country has established its own international house, a cultural venue offering each country’s distinct food, drink, art, drink, music, drink, and drinks.”
Stephen taunts the Ruskies pretty badly when he beats them at a particularly contentious game of table hockey:
Stephen wins the hearts and minds of all the foreign visitors during his trip to the international houses.
He really gets his Irish on when he sings “The Rocky Road to Dublin” in this outtake. Aye, indeed:
Stephen wrapped up his coverage by coercing Michael Buble to sing “O Canada” to the tune of “The Star Spangled Banner”:
What were your favorite moments from the Vancouver Winter Games? What are you looking forward to from Sochi? Let us know in the comments!