Duluth Olympic connections...

I don't know about you, but I've been caught up by the Winter Olympics held in Vancouver this week. The excitement of all that hard work by the Olympians, their fulfilled goals as well as personal trials come together to give the viewer a fine look at individuals as well as their sports. We have Duluth connections at this year's Winter Olympics as well and that adds to the hype.

"The Olympics is pretty special... I think there are a lot of people who could make it here, but the ones who do make it here are the ones that are willing to do what no one else will do." Jenny Potter, former UMD women's hockey standout and a four-time US Olympian on the US team, as quoted in a story in today's NY Times. The Times story gives a personal look at what it's like for Potter to be a mom and an Olympian. The link to the full story is HERE.

"The Neighborhood Curling Team," written by John Branch in today's NY Times is another interesting read about our local curlers representing the US in the Olympics. John Shuster, Jason Smith and Jeff Isaacson grew up together on the Iron Range and were boyhood friends. They later lived together in a Duluth apartment and curled at the Duluth Curling Club. Branch gives a nice profile of boyhood friends who live, eat and curl together.

Duluth's Chad Salmela is one of the NBC biathlon commentators at this year's winter Olympics. There may be other area connections to the Olympics that I've missed. Please feel free to add to the list.

And...it's the US facing Canada in tonight's Olympic hockey match. I know of some Canadians and US folks vacationing here on the gulf shores who will be watching that game together. Should be more Olympic fun.