The countdown is on for the 2014 Winter Olympics, which will take place in Sochi, Russia on February 7-23, 2014. The longest torch relay in Olympic history is underway, and athletes will soon be taking center stage. But how can you catch the Olympic spirit over here, with your life going on as usual, while the most amazing athletes on the planet are over there, going for the gold? Here are a few ways get engaged—and get inspired in the process.
Know What’s New
First of all, learn what’s new and exciting for the 2014 Winter Olympics: a lot, actually. Twelve new Olympic events will make their debut in Sochi, from ski and snowboard slopestyle, to halfpipe skiing, to new team events, including the team figure skating event and the luge team relay.
If you’ve never before watched skiers brave the halfpipe, you’ll be amazed with the skill of these athletes as they get big air and crank out a series of tricks that will make your stomach churn while you watch. In order to prepare yourself for viewing this event, preview the “Halfpipe Skiing Tricks Overview” Learnist board to learn all about the different tricks—including airs, handplants, and liptricks—that these athletes will attempt as they’re vying for a gold medal.
Choose a Team to Cheer For
To increase your engagement in this year’s Olympics, pick at least one team to follow closely. Perhaps you’d like to rally behind the Jamaican bobsled team, which has faced financial and other challenges in their quest to compete in Sochi. Or maybe you’d like to cheer for a debut team, such as the first-ever U.S. Women’s Olympic Ski Jumping Team. These young women have overcome many challenges and setbacks on their quest for inclusion, and they’ll be an exciting team to watch as they compete at an Olympic level in this gravity-defying sport.
Follow the Events
Finally, take some time to plan a viewing schedule so that you’ll be able to watch the events you don’t want to miss. Access NBC’s Winter Olympics Viewer’s Guide to figure out which events will be covered when, and prioritize your viewing. Once the Olympics are underway, the coverage and news updates could get overwhelming, so it’s important to know that you’ve made a plan at least to follow your favorite team or to watch a new event that excites you.
Even if you’re not an athlete, participating in the Olympics by following the events and watching the coverage can be inspiring. The determination, skill, and dedication you’ll witness as a viewer can positively impact you wherever you are: in your own life, at work, at home, and even in your future athletic endeavors.
