Pairs skater Marcy Michelle Hinzmann, shown on the left (profile) was really excited to be at her first Olympics. She reminded me of something you don't think about with regard to these games: this is the first time that these athletes from various winter sports have gathered in one place since four years ago. Yeah, world class athletes compete all over Europe--but mostly with their own kind, so to speak.

She thinks the snowboarders make the most interesting group at the Olympics, since they're so darn loose.

Marcy pairs with Aaron Parchem (profile), who added "We saw one of them sitting and playing Violin at the airport. Amazing."

But what Ms. Hinzmann was really amazed about was the haul of free stuff that rains down on athletes. It wasn't just the clothes and shoes, there were six bags to carry all that stuff in as well.

Before you ask: no, members of the press aren't so lucky. We could use some of that largesse; it costs 6 Euros just to get a shirt washed here in the media compound.

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For a history of Olympic Snowboarding, see History of Snowboarding in the Olympics

Photo of Marcy Hinzmann © 2006 by James Martin.