I don't think the Winter Olympians are the same caliber of athletes as Summer Olympians.

[LostInAnomie]

Flame me all you want, but I don't think they are. A lot of them don't really appear to be in that great of shape. Many are small and frail looking. I really don't think that many of them would even be the best in their sports if the sports they are in were more popular in the rest of the world.

[applegrove]

1. Tell that to the downhill skiers who went downhill at 140 mph today.

I would call those atheletes.

[Richardo]

2. I watched part of the special about the training of the US women's hockey team

They're athletes, no question, no qualifiers.

[LostInAnomie]

3. Hockey is probably the exception.

That's a fairly popular sport in a lot of countries that doesn't take a ton of money to play though. Most of the winter sports are only popular in a handful of countries and it takes a ton of money to even take part in.

It's like I was telling my sister the other night, I don't think winter sports necessarily have the best athletes in the world. They have the best athletes of those that can afford them in the countries where they are popular.

[redwitch]

8. I watched the men's moguls yesterday.

They are extraordinary athletes. Skiers, snowboarders, hockey players, skaters. I think they are amazing. And the stamina of the biathalon athletes is incredible.

[Swede]

4. I think it is the other way around.

Strength and agility are both needed in winter sports,in the summer it's one or the other.

[Arugula Latte]

5. I could totally kick their asses in any and all of their sports if I wanted to

and if I'd trained all my life for it, and if I got lucky, and if I had more natural athletic ability.

[pokerfan]

6. Same caliber

.22 Long Rifle (5.6 mm) in both cases.

[BurtWorm]

7. You got a problem with curling?

[LostInAnomie]

10. I bet curling would be a cool game to play when you're drinking.

[Captain Hilts]

9. True, but they are more skilled. nt

[bullwinkle428]

11. I don't think one has to be a behemoth in order to have athletic creds.