OK, so it’s Olympics time. Beginning Saturday and running through Feb. 27, sledders, skaters and skiers will be cruising across your TV screen from Lillehammer, Norway.
So many choices, so little time. You’ve got a busy schedule the next few weeks: homework, hanging with your pals and a Valentine’s Day party or two (lucky you).
You need to sort out when to watch and when to pass on the TV athletes. Because of the hours, you may even have to negotiate a few late nights or even promise to (gulp!) take a nap?! Call us crazy, but some of these events are worth the hassle of cutting a deal.
Most of the events will be seen on CBS. To help you figure out when to dial in, KidNews has rounded up some sure hits of what promise to be golden moments. (All times listed are CST.)
1-Women’s figure skating will give you the chance to see how well Nancy Kerrigan does. But it may be more fun to watch Tonya Harding trying to prove herself or alternate 13-year-old Michelle Kwan making her Olympic debut. Don’t overlook France’s Surya Bonaly and the Ukraine’s Oksana Baiul, 16, who will be among the top contenders.
TV times: Preview is scheduled for Tues., Feb. 22. Coverage will air during each broadcast Wed., Feb. 23, and Thurs., Feb. 24, ending with the finals Fri., Feb. 25, 7-10:30 p.m.
2-Opening ceremonies. It’s fun to watch the excitement and anticipation among the athletes as they parade into the stadium, country by country, behind their national flags. A highlight is the Olympic torch lighting. Yeah, let the Games begin.
TV time: Sat., Feb. 12, 7-10 p.m.
3-Luge will feature American Duncan Kennedy. He’s the luger who was beaten last October in Germany by local skinheads while trying to protect a black teammate. It’s a great story, and his act on a sled is worth checking out, too.
TV times: Singles, Sun., Feb. 13, 7-10 p.m.; Mon., Feb. 14, 7-10 p.m. Doubles, Fri., Feb. 18, 7-10 p.m.
4-The Jamaican bobsled team was a big hit in the flick “Cool Runnings.” You can catch them in real life. Tune in early – this quirky team is a fan favorite, but isn’t expected to advance past the early rounds.
TV times: Two-man competition, Fri., Feb. 18, 6-8 a.m. (preview); Sat., Feb. 19, noon-5 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 20, 7-10 p.m. Four-man, Fri., Feb. 25, 6-8 a.m. (preview); Sat., Feb. 26, 6-10 p.m.; Sun., Feb. 27, 3-5 p.m.
5-Giant slalom and slalom skiing have been dominated the past few years by Italian Alberto Tomba. Alberto pocketed a gold and a silver medal in 1992. He’s fast, flamboyant and fun to watch.
TV times: Giant slalom, Wed., Feb. 23, 6-8 a.m., 7-10 p.m.; and slalom, Sun., Feb. 27, 3-5 p.m.
6-Freestyle skiing will remind you of snowboarding. The U.S.’s Donna Weinbrecht has her sights on a second gold in moguls (where skiers bounce down a bumpy course doing tricks, kicks and jumps). Aerials feature skiers soaring off ramps into stunts like triple somersaults.
TV times: Tues., Feb. 15, 6-8 a.m. and 7-10:30 p.m.; Wed., Feb. 16, 6-8 a.m. and 7-10 p.m.; Mon., Feb. 21, 6-8 a.m. and noon-5 p.m.
7-Speedskaters will reach speeds of up to 40 m.p.h. as they zoom around icy ovals. Tune in to root for Americans Dan Jansen and Bonnie Blair. Bonnie will try to make like Fort Knox again and add to her previous three gold medals
TV times: Jansen is expected to race in the 500 meters (Mon., Feb. 14, 6-8 a.m., 7-10 p.m.), 1,000 meters (Fri., Feb. 18, 6-8 a.m., 7-10 p.m.) and 1,500 meters (Wed., Feb. 16, 6-8 a.m., 7-10 p.m.). Blair is expected to compete in the 500 meters (Sat., Feb. 19, 6-10 p.m.), 1,000 meters (Wed., Feb. 23, 7-10 p.m.), and 1,500 meters (Mon., Feb. 21, 7-10:30 p.m.).
8-Kristen Talbot, a U.S. speedskater, donated bone marrow last month to her 19-year-old brother, who suffers from a serious blood disorder. Her doctor said he’d be “shocked” if she were able to recover from the procedure and return to top form in time. See how she does.
TV times: 500 meters, Sat., Feb. 19, 6-10 p.m.
9-Hockey is the only game in town, if you’re into contact team sports. The U.S. faces tough competition from Sweden and Canada.
TV times: U.S. team: vs. France, Sun., Feb. 13, 1:30-5 p.m. (live); vs. Canada, Thurs., Feb. 17, 6-8 a.m., 7-10 p.m.; vs. Sweden, Sat., Feb. 19, noon-5 p.m. (live); vs. Italy, Mon., Feb. 21, noon-5 p.m. (live). The bronze medal game is Sat., Feb. 26, noon-5 p.m. The gold medal game is Sun., Feb. 27, 8-11 a.m. (live).
10-Closing ceremonies. It’s time to party – need we say more? Catch your favorite athletes getting crazy with new friends and hamming it up for the TV cameras as they say so long to a two memorable weeks of Olympic excitement. TV time: Sun., Feb. 27, 7-10 p.m.
Note: TNT will carry afternoon coverage on weekdays, about 60 percent of which will be live. Watch for daily updates on events being broadcast.
