Top 10 Stories of the 2010 Winter Olympics

These Winter Games will always be remembered for the death of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Georgian luger who had said to his father that he feared for his life on the extremely fast luge track. He died on that luge track in a practice run before the games opened.

Bode Miller for resurrecting his Alpine career and Olympic reputation after a disastrous Winter Games four years ago in Turin.  Miller won a gold, silver and bronze to add to his two silvers from eight years ago in Salt lake City.

The U.S. four-man bobsled team and their sled Night Train get special kudos for taking the gold for the first time in that event in 68 years.

Let’s hear it for South Korean figure skater Kim Yu-na’ for her perfectly elegant performance that allowed her to win the gold.

Canada’s women’s ice hockey team for winning the gold but more so for their on-ice, beer swilling, cigar smoking, Zamboni driving party after they won. Party on, gals!

The grace in defeat award should go to American goalie Ryan Miller for his MVP Olympic performance and his amazingly dignified demeanor after losing the gold. (I wonder if Evgeni Plushenko was watching?)

Evan Lysacek gave a top performance in men’s figure skating and earned the gold, which was the first time long-time figure skating coach Frank Carroll ever saw one of his contenders on the top platform.

Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso for great, gutsy performances on the Alpine courses and for keeping things interesting by feuding while off the ski hills.

Canada’s Joannie Rochette for her moving performance after her mother’s tragic death two days earlier. She won the bronze in women’s figure skating but was a gold medalist in guts and aplomb.

The men’s ice hockey team of Canada deserves applause. They faced major competition and managed to ride out some tough times and win the gold. They’re probably singularly responsible for a sure-to-come drop off in depression numbers amongst Canadians.

It was a great Winter Olympics. Congratulations to every one who competed!