The 2010 Olympics ~ 3 things to Look for in a Medal Ceremony + USA Ladies Figure Skating!

It has been so exciting to watch our American Athletes in these 2010 Winter Olympic Games. It's always so interesting to observe the medal ceremonies and watch how the athletes respond to their flag and anthem.

When it comes to the Medal Ceremony - I look for 3 main things:

1. Those who Sing the Anthem (please don't chew gum)
2. Removal of the Hat (show respect - no laughing or waving during anthem)
3. Placing Hand over One's Heart

1. ) I always think it is so sweet when they quietly sing along... Julia Mancuso, the Tiara wearing skier, sang quietly from the Silver Medal Podium when Linsey Vonn won Gold for the US.

2. ) Removal of the hat is a must... I was so glad to see Bode Miller remove his - even though I think he wondered if his hair was a mess - he quickly stroked his hand through it, enjoyed the anthem, and immediately put his hat back on afterwards. (I do wish he had put his hand on his heart, though.)

3. ) I appreciate when athletes place their hand respectably across their hearts - to me that shows respect and honor for our Great Country, the United States of America, and our Troops, past and present.

I remember clearly Evan Lysacek doing this very honorably. Plus, I feel he has handled well all the criticism that has come his way from the Silver Medalist, Evgeni Plushenko, who returned to this Olympics, unsuccessfully this time around, to re-win a Gold Medal.

My favorite Olympic Event has always been the Ice Skating. I don't know why I enjoy a sport that has to do with Judges. Other sports that deal with time and measurements must be so much fairer.

Tonight (Tuesday) the Ladies take the Ice...

My prayers go out to the Canadian figure skating star, Joannie Rochette, whose Mother passed away on Sunday of a heart attack at the age of 55, shortly after arriving in Vancouver. Somehow, Joannie, will still compete in these olympic games and perform her first program tonight, two days after her Mother's unexpected death.

I look forward to watching her and our American Girls compete in figure skating... Tonight.

Pictures from Wikipedia of the US Ladies Figure Skaters...

Rachael Flatt, Mirai Nagasu and Ashley Wagner.