Watching the Opening Ceremonies! Callae Daily (Norway) commented, "Benson and I made Norwegian lefse to eat while we watched (my mom is Norwegian!) Here he is in his red, white, & blue jammies with our lefse! "

25 spirit points for Callae Daily (Norway) for sending in an Opening Ceremonies photo, dressing her son Benson in the colors of Norway and making Norwegian Lefse.

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

Amy Brennan (France) said, "To celebrate the opening ceremony of the Winter games, I made homemade kimchi and bibimbap from Korea."

15 spirit points for Amy Brennan (France) for sending in your photo of watching the Opening Ceremonies and making a Korean dish.

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

25 spirit points for Pam Keller (Canada) for sending in a photo, shipping a giant Canadian flag half way around the world and making Kodiak cakes with real Canadian maple syrup.

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

5 spirit points for Billy Coppedge (Mongolia), Elsie Coppedge (Malaysia), Lucy Coppedge (Liechtenstein), Chloe Coppedge (Thailand) and Sophie Coppedge (Jamaica).

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

15 spirit points for Charisma Bray (Malta) for making a ricotta cake and sending in a photo.

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

20 spirit points for Tamara Knudson (Netherlands) for making a Dutch cake with flag, wearing a Dutch t-shirt and sending in a photo from watching the Opening Ceremonies!

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

10 spirit points for Ethan Knudson (Belarus) for sending a photo and wearing his country's flag colors.

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

5 spirit points for Tina Torres (Sweden)

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

5 spirit points for Brittany Vergara (Poland), Ryan Vergara (Kazakhstan) and Josiah Vergara (San Marino). Way to have spirit even while sleeping little Josiah!

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

5 spirit points for David Rathel (Australia) and Sophia (Iceland).

10 spirit points for April Rathel (Greece) for posting a photo and wearing your country's flag colors.

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

20 spirit points for Rachael Froehlich (South Korea) for bringing food from her country, wearing her country's flag colors and sending in a photo from the Opening Ceremonies.

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

Stephanie Terusa (Slovenia) comments, "Cheering on my Olympic country of Slovenia and watching the opening ceremonies! We got one shot - hockey!!"

5 spirit points for Stephanie (Slovenia).

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

10 spirit points for Taylor Telford (Serbia) for sending in a photo and wearing her team's flag colors.

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

10 spirit points for Christa McKirland (Montengro) and her daughter Raya for sending in your photo of watching the Opening Ceremonies and wearing the colors of your flag.

David Rathel (Australia) sent in this article about the modernism of the Opening Ceremonies. He commented, "So, I’m sending this as an apology to the BBC announcer. We thought he was being snarky because he said the show wasn’t as impressive in person, but apparently so much of the presentation was augmented reality (i.e., “faked”) that the people in the stands literally didn’t see much of what we saw. The latest issue of The Atlantic has a great analysis of what was real and what was AR. Don’t read this stuff if you like the magic. "

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/02/pyeongchang-opening-ceremony-olympics-2018/552902/

2 spirit points for David (Australia).

Janet Cooper (Philippines) sent in a list of memes about the Opening Ceremonies. She commented, "Can I trade the Philippines for Tonga as my country?"

https://www.cnet.com/news/winter-olympics-opening-ceremony-memes-star-shirtless-pita-taufatofua/

2 spirit points for Janet (Phillipines).

Rachael Froehlich (South Korea) sent in this article about the Opening Ceremonies and the historic handshake that took place.

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/09/sport/winter-olympics-opening-ceremony-intl/index.html

2 spirit points for Rachael (South Korea).

Hey Everyone! Don't forget to watch the opening ceremonies tonight (if you haven't already)!! Send in your picks for best and worst dressed, and send in a photo of you watching the opening ceremonies with spirit and you'll get some spirit points!

Graydon Cress (Finland) sent in this article about Mike Tirico who has taken over for Bob Costas as the voice of the Olympics for the USA.

http://money.cnn.com/2018/02/08/media/mike-tirico-interview-nbc-winter-olympics/index.html

2 spirit points for Graydon (Finland)

Tamara Knudson (Netherlands) sent in an article about PyeongChang's speed skating golden couple.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05xlrg8

2 spirit points for Tamara (Netherlands)

Kathy Smith (Austria) sent in this article about Norwegian curlers and the fact that they are bringing their crazy pants back to the Olympics. She commented, "I'm not Norway, but this is awesome."

4 spirit points to Kathy (Austria) for the article and sharing points.

2 bonus points to Callae (Norway).

Tiny De Jong-van Otterloo (Georgia) sent in this article about Georgia campaigning for a future winter olympics.

https://jam-news.net/?p=84773

2 spirit points to Tiny (Georgia).

Elyse Jarvis (Latvia) sent this article in about the USA flag bearer. There is an article on her qualifications and some controversy around the selection process.

https://www.elitedaily.com/p/who-is-erin-hamlin-team-usas-flag-bearer-could-make-history-in-pyeongchang-8165886

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/42992814

4 spirit points for Elyse (Latvia)

April Rathel (Iceland) sent in this photo with a caption "I fixed it."



2 spirit points to April (Iceland)

Gary Keller (Japan) sent in this article about the weather in Pyeongchang and whether it is too cold for a winter olympics.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/42885124

2 spirit points for Gary (Japan).

On the first day of competition, here are the standings of Our Olympics 2018:

Gold Medal:

Latvia (Elyse Jarvis) - 13 Points



Silver Medal:

Austria (Kathy Smith) - 11 Points



Bronze Medal:

Japan (Gary Keller) - 8 Points



Middle of the Road:

Georgia (Tiny De Jong-van Otterloo) - 6 Points

Congratulations to those on the podium!

And as always,
May the odds be ever in your favor!

Curling is live now!! To help you understand the sport you're watching, check this out!

Pam Keller (Canada) sent in this video introducing us to the sport of curling.

2 spirit points for Pam (Canada)

Gary Keller (Japan) sent in this article about Intel putting viewers in the Winter Olympics by streaming it in virtual reality. Also, Kathy Smith (Austria) sent in an article about NBC's virtual reality.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/features/intel-is-putting-you-in-the-winter-olympics-thanks-to-vr/

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/experience-2018-winter-olympics-virtual-reality

2 spirit points for Gary (Japan) and Kathy (Austria)

Elyse Jarvis (Latvia) sent in an article about Latvian Figure Skater Deniss Vasiljevs. “Interviewer: Your schedule involves travelling all over the world to skate. What is the one item you can’t live without? Deniss: My smile and my skates.”

https://www.olympic.org/news/from-youth-olympic-games-to-pyeongchang-2018-deniss-vasiljevs-latvian-figure-skater

4 spirit points for Elyse (Latvia) for his smile and his skates.

Tiny De Jong-van Otterloo (Georgia) has an Olympian competing in the Luge this year. However, she sent in this YouTube video from Vancouver where they lost a member of their team. She wishes safety to the competitors this year.

https://www.olympic.org/pyeongchang-2018/results/en/luge/athlete-profile-n3014805-giorgi-sogoiani.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJDZKUekqKg

4 spirit points to Tiny (Georgia) for wishing the competitors safety.

Gary Keller (Japan) sent in this article about Russia and their appeal against exclusion.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/42971636

2 spirit points for Gary (Japan) for the update.

Elsie Coppedge (Malaysia) said, “This is the first time Malaysia has been in the Winter Olympics.” There are six countries making their Winter Olympic debut: Ecuador, Eritrea, Kosovo, Malaysia, Nigeria and Singapore.

https://qz.com/1189058/winter-olympics-debuts-ecuador-eritrea-kosovo-malaysia-nigeria-singapore/

5 spirit points for Elsie (Malaysia) for sharing points.

2 bonus points for Jan (Nigeria) and Stephanie Racheter (Singapore).

Gary Keller (Japan) sent in this article that highlights a few athletes we should all keep an eye out for.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/athletes-watch-2018-pyeongchang-winter-olympic-games

2 spirit points for Gary (Japan)

Ethan Knudson (Belarus) sent in the motto of Belarus which translates "Belarus Alive!"

2 spirit points for Ethan (Belarus).

Gary Keller (Japan) sent in this article that reveals the design of the medals for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

https://www.olympic.org/news/olympic-winter-games-pyeongchang-2018-medals-unveiled

2 spirit points for Gary (Japan)

Elyse Jarvis (Latvia) sent in these two articles showcasing Latvian Olympic Apparel.  She said, "the colors of the collection are white, grey, dark red, and the design includes Team Latvia’s trademark ornament symbolizing the team’s unity and strength."

http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/markets_and_companies/?doc=135295

https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/latvias-olympic-apparel-unveiled.a182119/

4 spirit points to Elyse (Latvia)

Kathy Smith (Austria) sent in this video of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir at the Canadian free dance competition to get everyone excited for figure skating!

2 spirit points for Kathy (Austria) and for Pam (Canada).

SPIRIT POINTS:

The following three competitors were the first to send in articles!

5 spirit points for Kathy (Austria), Elyse (Latvia) and Ethan (Belarus)!

The Opening Ceremonies are just around the corner! 

During the Parade of Nations, the following teams will earn points. The Gold medal team to walk in is number 11. The Silver Medal team to walk in is number 31. The Bronze Medal team to walk in is number 37. Let's watch and see who it will be.

50 pts for Gold, 30pts for Silver and 10pts for Bronze 

Post photos of you watching the Opening Ceremonies and receive 5 spirit points! Make a dish from your country and earn 10 spirit points! Email me at erinbcress@gmail.com or send me a personal Facebook message to submit.

And as always,
May the odds be ever in your favor!

Here are the teams for the 2018 Winter Olympics:

Country	Representative
Argentina	Michael Anderson
Morocco	Francina Anderson
Brazil	Lea Anderson
Romania	William Anderson
Monaco	Elanor Anderson
Hong Kong	Lily Anderson
Lebanon	Michael Bonner
Togo	Karen Bonner
Columbia	Dennis Bray
Malta	Charisma Bray
France	Amy Brennan
Philippines	Janet Cooper
Mongolia	Billy Coppedge
Puerto Rico	Joanna Coppedge
Malaysia	Elsie Coppedge
Liechtenstein	Lucy Coppedge
Thailand	Chloe Coppedge
Jamaica	Sophie Coppedge
Chinese Taipei	Blake Coppedge
Estonia	Brian Cress
Switzerland	Lori Cress
Finland	Graydon Cress
Italy	Erin Cress
Denmark	Levi Cress
South Africa	Marshall Cress
Slovakia	Christina Cress
Spain	Cami Cress
Norway	Callae Daily
Georgia	Tiny De Jong-van Otterloo
Germany	Maddie Des Jardins
Lithuania	Caleb Froehlich
South Korea	Rachael Froehlich
Luxembourg	Adrian Garcia
Armenia	Jared Greiner
North Korea	Andrew Harmon
Nigeria	Jan Haugen
Chile	Liv Haugen
China	Solveig Haugen
India	Preston Hill
Uzbekistan	Chesney Hill
New Zealand	Devon Hill
Latvia	Elyse Jarvis
Japan	Gary Keller
Canada	Pam Keller
Bulgaria	Karen McClain Kiefer
Croatia	Kim Klingaman
Belarus	Ethan Knudson
Netherlands	Tamara Knudson
Czech Republic	Sue Martin
Ukraine	Hannah Martin
Moldova	Sean McDonald
Andorra	Jessica McDonald
Turkey	Martha Joy McGee
Montenegro	Matt & Christa McKirland
Belgium	Sarah McNamara
Portugal	Allison Temple Owens
Singapore	Stephanie Racheter
Australia	David Rathel
Iceland	April Rathel
Greece	Sophia Rathel
Hungary	Jonathan Rutledge
Austria	Kathy Smith
Serbia	Taylor Telford
Slovenia	Stephanie Terusa
Bolivia	Margaret Torrance
Sweden	Tina Torres
Kazakhstan	Ryan Vergara
Poland	Brittany Vergara
San Marino	Josiah Vergara
Israel	Koert Verhagen
Mexico	Diana Verhagen
Madagascar	Krystyn Whitaker