Are the best athletes really competing in Vancouver?

As we approach the winter Olympics I find myself asking one question; are they worth watching? I have come to the resounding answer of “no”. I would be reluctant to recommend the winter games as “must see TV”, and I would be even more reluctant to spend the money to go to an actual venue. Don’t get me wrong; I love the summer Olympics, however the winter Olympics are inherently flawed. Unlike the summer games, the winter provides us a look at a unique group of privileged athletes that grew up in certain geographical locations around the world. Ask yourself, how many days a year are you around snow, ice, shooting ranges, ski resorts, bobsled/luge courses? I’m going to go out on a limb and say that most of us are not in the right geographic location to really devote our time to winter events. Geography alone prevents the world’s best athletes from competing in winter sports. The second prerequisite is finances. A yearly pass at Squaw Valley (a former Olympic venue) that allows for daily skiing without blackout dates costs $2,000. The cost of coaches can be thousands more, travel to events, equipment, and injuries; lead to an ultimate bill in the tens of thousands per year. So basically to participate in the winter Olympics you have to live in an area that provides the right weather conditions, you also have to be blessed with a financially blessed family, or be randomly discovered by secret winter sports spies.
Fun Facts
➢ According to usaluge.org there are only 4 registered luge clubs in the US (Brookline, NH. Marquette, MI. Whitehall, MI. Park City, UT)
➢ According to about.com, a 1 hour figure skating can cost up to $75
➢ Skiwestmountain.com offers a private ski coach for $80 and hour
I was able to find 3 glaring examples of how expensive/ geographically limitingin less than 5 minutes using Google. Unlike the summer games in which almost anyone has access to the tools of the sports, the winter competitions are nothing more than and exhibition of skills perfected by GOOD and fortunate athletes.
One side note: If you are born in a country that identifies athletic children, and immediately rips them from their family in hopes that they become the next great athlete to represent their country, then the above opinions hold no truth in your life.