55 Days

How have I been blogging this long into the countdown without mentioning American athlete Shawn White? Called the "Flying Tomato" because of his red hair, White is the defending Olympic Champion in the snowboard halfpipe event. He's a nine-time gold medalist in halfpipe at the X-Games (ESPN's extreme sports annual competition) as well. He also skateboards competitively. Apparently, the new "it trick" of the season is called a double cork and many snowboarders will be attempting the move in their runs at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The double cork is basically two diagonal flips, off axis in the air. Shawn White plans to win gold by doing two double corks back to back, which he's already completed in competition this year. White practiced the move over the summer on a halfpipe with a foam pit built in. (Another snowboarder, Matt Ladley learned the move without the foam pit at broke two bones in his arm in the process.)

A men's slalom course may have no fewer than 55 gates. Women have a minimum of 40 gates.

I never understood how athletes enjoy sitting outside in the freezing cold during the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics. Especially the ones who have to compete early on in the two week schedule. (One of the reasons figure skater Michelle Kwan had to withdraw from the 2006 Olympics was because she reinjured herself in practice the morning after the Opening ceremonies in Turino, where she felt being out in the cold for so long had stiffened her injured muscles.) The 2010 Olympics in Vancouver will mark the first time that the Opening and Closing ceremonies (and some of the medal ceremonies as well) will be held indoors at the domed BC Place Stadium which seats up to 55,000 people. This should provide a more comfortable experience for athletes and fans alike.