Winter Olympics Milan,Cortina and Livigno

In the past, the Winter Olympics were for watching the skiing, with the elegance of Jean-Claude Killy or Bernard Russi, or the brutal determination of Franz Klammer. The bobsleigh was watching the Germans schuss their BMW-like bobsleigh with a precision that made the British ex-public schoolboys look like amateurs as they rattled down their faux Austin Allegro bobsleigh as it bounced off the walls. We had highlights such as Eddie the Eagle becoming the favourite plucky British loser, and a rare medal when Torville and Dean had chosen the best tune to dance to. Ice hockey was like watching a fight in the school playground, acting out the lyrics of Al Stewart's Russians and Americans. 

Times have changed; this year, it was the Canadians and Americans who went to war in the men's ice hockey. Trump invited the men's team to the White House, as they had won a gold medal for the third time in the 26 times it had been held. Meanwhile, the women's ice hockey team were not invited despite winning the gold medal for the third time in the 8 times it was held. The locker room celebrations were joined by the freeloading Director of the FBI, Kash Patel, who was seen spraying beer after the defeat of the Canadians, who had won the Ice Hockey Gold Medal 9 times, the same as Russia. It epitomised the American supposition that they are the greatest sporting nation. 

Despite having more winter resorts than any other country and a population of 350 million, 78% of that of the EU countries, the USA managed 12 gold medals and 33 medals in total compared to the 54 gold medals and 163 medals in total by the EU countries. That's 22% and 20% respectively of the EU totals. Moreover, Norway, not in the EU and with a population of just 5 million, trounced the USA with 18 gold medals and 41 medals in total. It is time that Europe realised that, whilst America likes to boast of its greatness, Europe delivers through the diversity of its nations.

Leaving aside the competition between nations, the greatest joy was watching the new freestyle skiing and snowboarding events, where the obvious fraternity between outstanding athletes, or should that be gymnasts, from Japan, China, Korea, Europe, Canada, and America, epitomised the spirit of the Olympics. They gave us displays that defied our imagination as well as gravity.