Olympic Diary - Day 14, Feb. 21, 2002
Baylor University graduate Erika Snoberger, who is covering all speed skating events for the U.S. Olympic Committee at the Winter Olympics, is filing a daily diary with Baylor Public Relations, as she experiences the "shining moments" that only the Games can provide.
Day 14, Feb. 21, 2002
Today I did something completely "normal"...I watched figure skating on TV just like everyone else! Because I had no events to cover today, I had a relaxing day off, went shopping and made dinner for my cousin! It was great. But it also made me think that this is my last day off, and the Olympics are almost over, which makes me sad.
I have to say I was really pleased with how things worked out for Sarah Hughes. I did feel very sorry for Michelle Kwan at the same time, but Sarah had an incredible skate and I think she more than deserved the gold medal. At least there was no controversy this time!
Tomorrow is the "marathon" event in long track - the men's 10,000m. It is a 3 1/2 hour event so I'll spend most of the afternoon at the Oval. We have only two skaters, Derek Parra and Jason Hedstrand, competing in the event and we're not really favored to medal. But who knows...Derek wasn't favored in the 5000m and he won silver!
As things are winding down, I can tell that the people here are having the same kind of feelings I am, like they don't want it to end. I wonder what the mood in Salt Lake will be once all the people are gone, the signs are taken down, and the Olympics are just a part of the past.
But in the meantime, I am going to try to do as much in the next few days as possible! I'll come back with lots of pictures and great memories, that's for sure. The one thing I can always look forward to is the warm Texas weather - I can only handle snow for so long!
Erika