Wednesday, December 2, 2009

72 Days

The 2014 Olympic Committee has unveiled the logo for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics to be held in Russia (in about 4 years and 72 days). While the logo definitely won't be awarded a wooden spoon anytime soon (see 83 Days), it is being criticized by some for being plain and boring. It is also the first Olympic logo to include it's website, which I think fits the twenty-first century perfectly. I'm just curious as to why they decided on a blue and white theme, as opposed to the usual Russian colors of red and white.

In other Sochi news, International Olympic Committee President, Jacques Rogge announced that he fully trusts Russian authorities to provide proper security for the Olympics following a deadly bomb explosion in Russia this past weekend. Rogge was in Russia to help unveil the new logo for the Sochi Olympics. With four years to go, I don't think we should be worrying about security at the Sochi Olympics just yet. The 2002 Salt Lake City Games came just months after 9-11, and there were no major security concerns at all.

The Olympics has seen a major increase in doping tests over the last few years. There was a 72% increase from the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City to the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turino, Italy where about 1200 drug tests were administered. The number of drug tests given is expected to double at the upcoming Winter Games in Vancouver to about 2500. The World Anti-Doping Agency has also announced that the drug tests themselves are getting better and more accurate. Results of thorough drug tests should be ready within 72 hours of taking them. (That's two 72 stats in one topic!)

Aside from the current medical facilities already in place at Whistler Mountain, home of the ski and snowboard events for the 2010 Olympics, there will be a temporary trailer set up filled with 72 hours worth of surgical supplies as well. Given the fact that a medal-hopeful is already out of the Olympics due to injury(Canadian John Kucera broke his leg a couple of days ago in a World Cup event, and underwent surgery), I'd say that's a good idea.

2 comments:

  1. Worrying about security has become an olympic sport onto itself. I remember before Athens we were all terrified about how lax security was. I even attended a meeting where colleagues voiced concern about attending.
    Nicely done with the 2 72 Stats in one topic! Almost makes up for your Curling bashing which for the record is a ratings winner!

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  2. I would just like to say that this blog is awesome. That is all.

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