Olympics Notebook: Vancouver 2010

from Left field:

Russia expects as Plushenko prepares for glory

Millions of Russians will be setting their alarm clocks a little earlier than usual on Friday morning.

The patriotic inhabitants of the world's largest country are desperate to see Yevgeny Plushenko bring home the cherished gold medal in the men's free skate at the Winter Olympics later today.

The flamboyant blond-haired veteran holds a narrow lead over his rivals at the competition's half way stage, and all of Russia is willing him to victory.

Plushenko's story has all the makings of a great Olympic drama. The 34-year-old retired from the sport following his landmark Olympic win in the same competition in Turin in 2006, but upset by a perceived decline in a proud Russian figure skating tradition he announced his intention to defend his title and with it Russian honour this year.

His dazzling performance in the opening round stunned a worldwide audience, while the withdrawal of an imaginary sword in his final flourish perfectly captured his warrior-like dominance and virility.

His extreme self confidence does not end there. Plushenko has been tearing into his rivals since his arrival in Vancouver, typically on his favourite topic -- his ability to execute the quadruple mid-air spin which he believes is the hallmark of greatness. He was the only competitor to even attempt this in the first round and was withering in his verdict on those who stuck with the safer triple-spin. "I did triples in 1994," he scoffed.

His mind games appear to have worked on his current closest rival, the American Evan Lysacek.  "I used to really enjoy training the quad ... until I broke my foot and then it became less fun to train and more scary," he told reporters.  Scary? Is this the spirit of an Olympic Champion?

Winter Games — picture of the day

Picture of the Day has to feature Alexandre Bilodeau, the man who wrote himself into the record books by becoming the first Canadian to win a gold medal at a home Olympics.

This picture, taken by Mark Blinch, captures him just as he launches his arms into the air in celebration at that gold medal win in the moguls freestyle.

Original caption: Canada’s Alexandre Bilodeau celebrates after his run during men’s freestyle skiing moguls finals on Cypress Mountain at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, February 14, 2010. Bilodeau won the Gold Medal in the event. REUTERS/Mark Blinch

Breaking news: Canada wins first gold

Alexandre Bilodeau’s nerveless performance in the men’s freestyle moguls has ensured his position as a national hero, while lighting up an Olympic Games that had been in danger of falling flat.

The 22-year-old from Montreal became the first Canadian to win a gold medal at an Olympics hosted by the country — and this is their third — when he clinched victory at 1819 local time on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, at Cypress Mountain.

After the disappointment of the first day, and most of the second, the sense of relief among Canadians must be enormous. Canada spent billions of dollars bringing the Games to Vancouver and more than a hundred million on their Own The Podium programme, designed to improve their medal account and the Summer and Winter Games over five years.

The Olympics was badly in need of a lift after the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili on Friday morning.

The terrible weather that ruled out any Alpine skiing competition over the first weekend also spoiled the mood somewhat but from now on it’s going to feel like a different Games.

PHOTO: Canada’s Alexandre Bilodeau competes during men’s freestyle skiing moguls qualifying on Cypress Mountain at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, February 14, 2010. REUTERS/Mark Blinch

Canada can’t wait for that golden moment

Canada has a reputation as a slow starter at the Olympics, but the country may be poised to end a two-Games gold-medal drought on home soil … and it could even come on the first full day of competition.

There is so much excitement for that elusive gold medal that Canadian lugers have been offered a $1 million bonus from their title sponsor if they can earn a spot atop the podium.

Manuel Osborne-Paradis, who has a pair of recent victories on the World Cup circuit, will get the country’s first shot at ending the drought early on Saturday in downhill skiing.

But Canada’s best shot at striking gold that day will be with freestyle moguls skier Jenn Heil, who won a gold medal on the first day of competition in Turin four years ago and is expected to successfully defend her title.

The Canadian men’s ice hockey team are tipped by many to win a gold medal, but the finals for that event are not until Feb. 28. Other sports that could produce a gold medal for Canada include women’s hockey, men’s and women’s curling and speed skating.

At the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, Canadians didn’t win any medals until after the first week of competition.

And the CEO of Own the Podium — a $117 million five-year plan to help Canadian athletes dominate in the Summer and Winter Games — even said he did not expect Canada to challenge for the overall medals lead until the last few days of ther Games.