Don Catlin, M.D., at Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremony – Photo by Oliver Catlin
We watched with the rest of the world as the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games unfolded. In the face of tense politics, doping scandals, and other controversy, the Olympic ideals still shined through, sometimes in unexpected ways. Having been fortunate to attend six amazing Winter Olympic Games (Don got to go to seven, I think), we figured why not provide some perspective on these. Here is our 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games Review.
Most Amazing Victory – Ester Ledecka. Who knew someone could win a gold medal in snowboarding and skiing! Some people don’t think that the two sports are compatible, some don’t even want both sports on the same mountain. This woman just went out and ripped it up, twice, however many planks were strapped to her feet. Well done, Ester.
Clean Athlete Awards – Jessica Diggins and Kikkan Randall. In an Olympics marred by the Russian doping scandal, we always appreciate it when you can literally see that athletes are clean. Not that we advocate that a visual determination replace anti-doping testing, but some people you can just tell are not doping. We thoroughly enjoyed watching these ladies win clean, and with amazing smiles! We also appreciate the other courageous cross-country skiers who signed the letter in 2016 demanding a stronger stance on doping, including notably the four Russian women who signed. Thanks to all of you for working to defend your sport from the scourge of doping.
Classiest Athlete – Yevgenia Medvedeva. OK, we admit we watched the ladies figure skating final and it was pretty amazing. The talent and class displayed by all the young ladies is unbelievable. However, one shined above the rest. Despite missing the gold medal by a heartbreaking 1.31 points that even experts could not decipher, this woman took disappointment with amazing class for an 18-year old. She genuinely embraced her younger upstart Alina Zagitova and accepted her silver medal with a smile. She could be overheard saying she “did everything she could.” That statement represents what Olympic athletes are all about. We don’t know much about this Russian athlete otherwise, but in PyeongChang this little Anna Karenina showed enormous class.
Most Notable Olympic Farewell – Lindsey Vonn. Although you leave the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games with a bronze medal, which most people could only hope for, you will always be the golden girl of American skiing. You took yourself to the pinnacle of your sport and beyond, and you brought your country with you. Along the way you’ve inspired generations of Olympians for years to come. We wouldn’t be surprised to see a woman like you one more time in Beijing four years from now, but if not thank you for all the amazing Olympic moments.
Strangest Doping Incident – Doping in Curling, really? We thought people drank beer during curling, but doping? Of course it would be an Olympic Athlete from Russia with meldonium as the offending substance, such perfect irony.
Ugliest Controversy – The ugliest controversy in these Olympics goes to the argument between Dick Pound and others in the IOC over whether or not to allow the Russian delegation to be permitted to fly the state colors during the closing ceremonies. It took long enough to finally get some kind of ban enacted and the corresponding statement made that state-sponsored doping is unacceptable, and it was going to be overturned during the Games? Way to go Dick Pound for sticking up for clean sport, as always! Or should we thank the second Olympic Athlete from Russia for doping and closing the door on that argument.
Most Inspiring Olympic Athlete – One athlete that epitomized the ideals of the Olympic movement and displayed them proudly in every fiber of his being by bringing athletes from all nations together sadly was not present in PyeongChang, but he was there is spirit. And his spirit we know will continue to inspire generations of Olympians for years to come. The Olympic Family lost Steven Holcomb, a beloved member of the bobsled community, in May 2017. But in the true spirit of the Olympic movement he went down the track many times in PyeongChang in the form of tribute bracelets on the wrists of many of his sliding colleagues, his parents cheering with tears in their eyes in the stands. Despite not being present, this man, and his spirit, made for the most inspiring Olympic athlete of this Games. We wish we could have known him and been inspired by his spirit.
Most Amazing Olympic Moment – It was hard to miss the unity demonstrated at the Opening Ceremonies with South Korea and North Korea marching together as one. This was a powerful symbol of the peaceful celebration of sport that the Olympics represent. We appreciate that this unity was achieved during the Games, and I think we all hope the peace was more than just for show and lasts.
The Olympics are truly an amazing gathering of athletes from all different countries, politics, races, sizes, sexes, orientations, faiths, and more. For all these moments and more, the Olympic Games remain one of the most amazing spectacles of human interaction and accomplishment in this world. They deserve to be truly appreciated, celebrated, and protected. We can’t wait for the years to pass to see what amazing feats and memorable moments Tokyo, Beijing, Paris, and Los Angeles will produce.
The Catlin Perspective 