Still experiencing a little post-Olympic withdrawal. 2012 seems so far, while 2014 is a LIFETIME. And, as we all know, the Winter Olympics are way better than the Summer Olympics. Why's that, you ask? I'll tell you.
1. The age range
This is one of those classic cases where I have no facts to back up this statement, but it seems to me that there is a much wider age range in the Winter Olympics than the summer ones. A lot of the athletes I saw were late 20's to early 30's, but there were still teenagers in most events as well, so it seems that the sports just lend themselves to wider age ranges. I like this because a) you get to know the the athletes because they participate in more than one Olympics, b) there's a transition between the younger and older athletes and c) if someone messes up (Lindsey Jacobellis, anyone?) you don't have to feel quite as bad because maybe next time! Also, repeat Olympic appearances means that athletes have a chance to get their first-Olympic jitters out of the way, which could potentially lead to great performances. ALSO, repeat Olympic performances mean rivalries can be strengthened, and that's ha;f the fun!
2. Less is more
I know the Summer Olympics are more egalitarian, but I enjoy the fact that there are less countries in the Winter Games, not because I don't want those missing countries to have a chance to compete but because it makes watching it easier/more enjoyable. The aforementioned rivalries are more concentrated and take on a greater country-v-country aspect, the medal standing are easier to track, etc.
Along those lines, there are also fewer events in the Winter Games, which means I really can follow EVERYTHING, and care, and get behind Team USA as a whole as opposed to reducing it the Michael Phelps and the gymnastics team.
3. Racing on a track is less than racing on anything else
One of the biggest Summer Olympics sports is running. Running with hurdles, running without, running in teams, running this distance, running that, running running running. I find watching running incredibly boring. The distances are usually short, or feel way too long, people seem to go much slower than they do...I just don't like it. But strap a pair of skates on their feet? Done and done. Seriously, compare short track to track track...there's no comparison. Short track is way, way better. The grace, the balance required, the fact that you are almost guaranteed a collision at some point, the angle of the skaters...it's just all way better. Alpine skiing? Better. Bobsled? Better, if only marginally. And it goes on.
4. Danger! Danger, Will Robinson!
The Winter Olympics are about 1000x more dangerous than the Summer Olympics. Almost every sport involves risking life and limb in some serious way, and disaster lurks around every corner. I don't watch the Winter Olympic because I want someone to get hurt, but the fact that they could (and do) makes the viewing experience way more intense/suspenseful. Also, it gives me greater respect for the athletes. Yes, you can swim fast, but you don't require courage to get in that pool, while I think throwing yourself down a mountains takes some serious balls.
5. We get to hate on Russia again
Seriously, the Russians are just the best villains the world has ever seen, and the Winter Olympics once again give us an opportunity to be locked in an epic battle with them for supremacy (one we handily won this last time round). You only need to see the Plushenko profile to see how a view shots of Moscow and a little accented discussion of one's "enemies" can take men's figure skating and elevate it to James Bond proportions.
