Last night, Kim Yu-Na’s gold medal capped the rise of Brian Orser as one of the world’s stellar figure-skating coaches.  Outed in 1998 by a partner lawsuit, Orser has since embraced his orientation openly, becoming (among other things) an ambassador for the Outgames. Being out hasn’t hurt his recent career — he remains one of the most accomplished skating figures to come out of Canada, with Hall of Fame memberships added to his eight national titles, world title and two Olympic silvers.

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• By Patricia Nell Warren

OK. I’m not the biggest hockey fan, as previously mentioned in article written by Jim, but even I know when someone does something dumb.

Canada won the gold medal for the third straight Olympics in women’s hockey, beating the U.S., 2-0. That’s awesome. But then the women lost all common sense. Members of the team brought out champagne, beer and cigars at center ice after receiving their medals, after the formal ceremonies were over. [Read more →]

• By Chad Conley

The ladies figure skating final tonight was the truly the show of shows. We watched a former world medalist crumble, another move up, one skater who made history, another who had to overcome gut-wrenching grief and the crowing of a new queen.

This was the first final I have had the opportunity to attend at these Games, and let me tell you, talk about an emotional high.

Lets start with the American girls. [Read more →]

• By Chad Conley

A few days ago, a few French-Canadian TV commentators started to talk about Johnny Weir, and how he should be gender tested. In Vancouver, Weir addressed those comments (see previous post) after a public apology was made by the radio station president.

Weir talked about how they insulted him as an individual, that it was not about his skating or his performance at the Olympics. He also said he didn’t need an apology and that they should think about what they’re saying.

Anyone who listened to my podcast on Outsports, heard me make some pretty critical remarks against Weir. [Read more →]

• By Chad Conley

There would be no Olympic Games without television. It’s that simple. The sale of broadcast rights by the IOC to networks around the world represent by far the largest revenue stream available to the Olympic Movement. And the multi-billion dollar contracts negotiated with American broadcasters–most recently NBC–is far and away the most lucrative of those.

In America, the Olympics are not a sporting event, they are a television event. And that means the only people who matter are–not the athletes or even the core fans–but the great masses who have cursed live Olympic sports in America with the dependable, mediocrity-driven concept of “Prime Time,” those sedentary, glassy-eyed hours between 8 p.m. and midnight. [Read more →]

• By Ryan Quinn

Re the Vonn/Mancuso incident in the giant slalom yesterday: As usual, the media are trying to squeeze a tabloid story out of the personalities involved – Mancuso’s ruffled feelings and the rivalry between the two women. Personally, I am wondering why the media aren’t looking at officials who sent the next skier down the hill when the previous skier had crashed and was still lying there on the course.  Somebody’s head should roll for this.

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• By Patricia Nell Warren

Figure skater Johnny Weir held a press conference yesterday to address the homophobic remarks made by various sports commentators directed squarely at him.

“I want them to think before they speak. I want them to think about not only the person they’re talking about, but also other people like that person,” he said. “What people as a majority need to do is think, and think about who they’re affecting. … I don’t want, 50 years from now, more boys and girls to go through this same thing.”

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• By Cyd Zeigler jr.

Maybe losing to the U.S. was the best thing to happen to Team Canada. Beating Germany, 8-2, in a play-in game was one thing, but routing Russia, 7-3, was truly impressive. Canada scored early and often, leading 4-1 after a period. It was so lopsided, I switched to NBC showing taped women’s skiing. (A Canadian gloats about the game below).

Canada looks like the best team in the tourney right now, though anything can happen in a single-elimination tourney. The U.S. moved on to the semis, but struggled in a 2-0 win over Switzerland. The Swiss also took Canada to a shootout, so they are a tough out. In the semis, Canada plays Slovakia, while the U.S. gets Finland. [Read more →]

• By Jim Buzinski

OK! Magazine scored with a photo gallery of 13 shirtless male Winter Olympians, including gold medal figure skater Evan Lysacek, Johnny Weir, and snowboard cross Olympian Seth Wescott (right). Unfortunately, what they call “shirtless” for most of the guys means still having a shirt on: Go figure. You can see speedskater J.R. Celski after the jump, or go to OK! Magazine for the full gallery.

Hat tips to Towleroad and Socialite Life.

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• By Cyd Zeigler jr.

ABC’s Nightline produced a segment about the fashion of men’s figure skaters, chronicling how the outfits worn by Olympic competitors has changed over the years (now I can’t get “What would Brian Boitano do” out of my head!). One thing they got wrong: That it would only be the technique judged on the ice during the competition.

Video after the jump (with a familiar face at 2:30).

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• By Cyd Zeigler jr.

The ladies figure skating short program tonight was probably the best event in the Olympics. The final two flights were full of talent, and grace. But for the top six, they pretty much will hold onto their positions providing they stay on their feet.

In a field where most us of thought placements would be mere tenths of a point, in fact turned into full-point separations among the top three.

There were some surprises, and some not so big surprises. And the night belonged to Joannie Rochette (photo). [Read more →]

• By Chad Conley

How do you say “bonehead” in Dutch? You don’t have to know anything about speedskating to realize that the Netherlands’ Sven Kramer committed one of the biggest blunders in Olympic history in the men’s 10,000 meters and cost himself the gold.

Kramer screwed up and failed to cross lanes properly. He skated in the final pair and finished by far with the best time, setting what would have been an Olympic record. But then, looking totally pissed, he threw his gloves and snapped angrily at a coach (whom he blamed) as he realized he had been disqualified. I watched it live on NBC and the announcers were incredulous at what happened. [Read more →]

• By Jim Buzinski

Things keep getting worse for Canada. From a snoozer opening ceremony to malfunctions to poor athletic showings, people in Vancouver are referring to these as the Glitch Games. Add to that poor sportsmanship by Canadian fans, and you’ve got a growing P.R. problem for the country:

A Danish curler was brought to tears after a boisterous Canadian crowd intentionally distracted her during crucial shots in her team’s match against the home nation. With the crowd stomping and making deafening noise, Denmark skip Madeleine Dupont missed two potentially game-winning shots and tearfully blamed the fans for it afterward. Canada won the match 5-4 in an extra end.

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• By Cyd Zeigler jr.

There is almost always something exciting about every Olympic competition. Because it’s the Olympics. But over the next few days, few Olympic competitions will match the intensity of these rivalries.

USA vs. Canada, hockey (Tuesday-Sunday). This rivalry began at least as far back as 1960, and the modern version was ratcheted up in 2002 when Canada won gold after beating the Americans on their home soil. This time around Canada is under extreme pressure to win hockey gold, and Team USA is the sudden underdog favorite. Incidentally, Canada and USA may not even play each other again in Vancouver, but after Sunday’s thrilling game it hardly matters. No matter what side of the bracket they’re on, each team (and their fans) are keeping an eye out for the other. [Read more →]

• By Ryan Quinn

Last night, the Winter Games were made to order for TV ratings. Two luscious and photogenic young couples, Canada and U.S.A., duked it out for the gold, while U.S.A. and Russia slugged over the bronze. Re the win, judging looked to be spot on — it was suspect only where the Russians squeaked into 3rd despite their hideous costumes and weak performance.

This morning, the Star-Ledger’s Alan Sepinwall analyzes the ratings: “Through Saturday night, NBC’s prime-time coverage has averaged 26.3 million viewers a night. That’s way up from the 20.6 million for the 2006 Torino Games.”

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• By Patricia Nell Warren

Australian Aborigines are upset over the ice dancing program of Russian pair Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin.

At times, Shabalin led Domnina around by her ponytail. They mugged, stuck out their tongues and mimicked the hand over mouth gesture that was once associated with American Indians. After the dance ended, the crowd gave the Russians what could generously be called a lukewarm reception.

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• By Cyd Zeigler jr.