Winter Olympics

Games can capture imaginations; area viewers expect to sneak a few peeks

Ohio has no dogs in the hunt, so to speak, in the Winter Olympics, which officially open Friday in the Republic of Korea. But there is still some interest in Marietta.

Of the entire U.S. Olympic roster of competitors in the Winter Games -- more than 200 -- none are from Ohio or West Virginia, although initially figure skater Madison Hubbel listed Sylvania, Ohio, right on the Michigan border, as her hometown. The listing later changed to Okemos, Mich., near Lansing.

In an informal survey of people packing groceries into their vehicles at the Giant Eagle parking lot in the Frontier Shopping Center Tuesday, enthusiasm for viewing cold weather sports seemed lukewarm. Three shoppers professed no interest at all.

Payton Mullen, 13, and Emily Arnold, 14, both Marietta High School students, said they planned to watch several events. Both noted they would start viewing Thursday, with school out of session for the last two days of the week.

"Figure skating and snowboarding," Mullen said.

"Downhill skiing," Arnold said. "And bobsledding."

Both said they've been following Alpine skier Lindsay Vonn, who came back from an injury to dominate the women's event.

Julie Neville, a native Marietta resident dressed in a black down jacket, said she was a skier at one time and intends to watch Alpine and cross-country skiing and figure skating.

Randy Dick, loading the back of his SUV with purchases, said he'll probably tune in for some of it.

"Anything but figure skating," he said when asked what events he might watch.

None of the sports bars in the area contacted have an organized program of watching, although the Harmar Tavern said they might put some of the hockey events on their screens.

Tavern manager Robert Farley said he's doubtful about the interest among his customers.

"They're more football types," he said, smacking a fist into an open hand.

This year the National Hockey League and its players declined to participate in the Winter Olympics, saying the drawbacks for teams and players would be greater than the benefits because the Olympic schedule falls during one of the busiest parts of the professional hockey season and would interfere with the NHL schedule. That means the men's Team USA comes mainly from semi-pro, college and European leagues. The women's team comes from their professional leagues.

For those interested in following television coverage of the Winter Olympics and reading features about it, the Times will publish a Winter Olympics guide with its Friday newspaper.

2018 Winter Olympics

¯ Location: PyeongChang, Republic of Korea (South Korea).

¯ Starts: Today with biathlon, luge, ski jumping.

¯ Time difference: +14 hours from Eastern Standard Time zone.

¯ View: NBC (Suddenlink, Channel 3 or 4).

¯ Viewers guide: nbcolympics.com, livestream or televised.

¯ Opening ceremonies broadcast: 8 p.m. Friday.

¯ Closing ceremony (broadcast): 8 p.m. Feb. 25.

¯ Winter Olympics Guide: Coming Friday in the Times.

Sources: olympic.org, nbcolympics.com