Need convincing about the merits of the Winter Olympics? Here's 10 great reasons to watch this month's Sochi extravaganza...
Reasons to love the Winter Olympics —
Need convincing about the merits of the Winter Olympics? Here's 10 great reasons to watch this month's Sochi extravaganza...
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Looking for a new sport? Then the Winter Olympics are for you. There are 12 new events added to the Sochi program, including the high-flying slopestyle competition.
Reasons to love the Winter Olympics —
Looking for a new sport? Then the Winter Olympics are for you. There are 12 new events added to the Sochi program, including the high-flying slopestyle competition.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
The Winter Games are for hardcore athletes not afraid of risks. At Vancouver 2010, 10-11% of athletes were injured. There have already been injuries in the buildup to Sochi as Finnish snowboarder Marika Enne crashed and hit her head in practice.
Reasons to love the Winter Olympics —
The Winter Games are for hardcore athletes not afraid of risks. At Vancouver 2010, 10-11% of athletes were injured. There have already been injuries in the buildup to Sochi as Finnish snowboarder Marika Enne crashed and hit her head in practice.
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Hot and cold: The Jamaican four-man bobsled team inspired cult film "Cool Runnings" with their adventures at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Jamaica returns in Sochi with a two-man team.
Reasons to love the Winter Olympics —
Hot and cold: The Jamaican four-man bobsled team inspired cult film "Cool Runnings" with their adventures at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Jamaica returns in Sochi with a two-man team.
MARK CARDWELL/AFP/Getty Images
Chicago's ice man Shani Davis is one of the stellar athletes to watch in Sochi. Set your watches for February 12 when the American attempts to make history by winning a third straight Winter Olympic gold.
Reasons to love the Winter Olympics —
Chicago's ice man Shani Davis is one of the stellar athletes to watch in Sochi. Set your watches for February 12 when the American attempts to make history by winning a third straight Winter Olympic gold.
Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images
The Sochi Games brings the chance to watch top National Hockey League players face-off for national pride. NHL star Sidney Crosby, carrying the flag here, led Canada to gold in 2010 with victory over the U.S. in the final. Can he repeat the success in Sochi?
Reasons to love the Winter Olympics —
The Sochi Games brings the chance to watch top National Hockey League players face-off for national pride. NHL star Sidney Crosby, carrying the flag here, led Canada to gold in 2010 with victory over the U.S. in the final. Can he repeat the success in Sochi?
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Be wowed by the contortions of the ice dancers at the Winter Games. Here American duo Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt flex their muscles.
Reasons to love the Winter Olympics —
Be wowed by the contortions of the ice dancers at the Winter Games. Here American duo Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giulietti-Schmitt flex their muscles.
Photo by Victor Fraile/Getty Images
The Winter Olympics are cool for kids. Here the world's most famous snowboarder Shaun White poses for a photo at the Sprint U.S. Grand Prix at Park City Mountain, Utah.
Reasons to love the Winter Olympics —
The Winter Olympics are cool for kids. Here the world's most famous snowboarder Shaun White poses for a photo at the Sprint U.S. Grand Prix at Park City Mountain, Utah.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin (center, with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev) is a regular skier in Sochi. Could he be tempted to go down the slopes during the Winter Olympics?
Reasons to love the Winter Olympics —
Russian President Vladimir Putin (center, with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev) is a regular skier in Sochi. Could he be tempted to go down the slopes during the Winter Olympics?
ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP/Getty Images
This is the luge -- also known as a toboggan ride for two. Luge is just one of the new words you can impress your friends with by watching the Winter Olympics.
Reasons to love the Winter Olympics —
This is the luge -- also known as a toboggan ride for two. Luge is just one of the new words you can impress your friends with by watching the Winter Olympics.
ILMARS ZNOTINS/AFP/Getty Images
Why not make yourself a Putin-themed cup of cocoa and sit back and watch the Sochi Winter Olympics?
Reasons to love the Winter Olympics —
Why not make yourself a Putin-themed cup of cocoa and sit back and watch the Sochi Winter Olympics?
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images