I just watched the entire coverage of the men’s 5K Long Track Speed Skating and they seem to be doing a “Venue Ceremony” right after the race is finished that doesn’t include medals but PANDA STUFFED ANIMALS. Well, to be specific, the Olympic mascot, Bing Dwen Dwen.
The announcers said there will be a medal ceremony later on but there is something hilarious about Scandinavian men, descended from Vikings, battling it out for a stuffed animal.
Are these going to be the new Beanie Babies and traded amongst the athletes like pins and souvenir condoms?
Nils Van Der Poel of Sweden, in the last skate of the event, had an inspirational last lap to take the gold. Silver medalist Patrick Roest of the Netherlands, who was sitting with the gold and the Olympic Record for over an hour, was very upset and moped around for a little while before seemingly coming around to be excited for the Silver, and the panda.
But Van Der Poel dropped the panda at one point to hold up the Swedish flag….he’s going for another gold in the 10,000 later this week and I’m a little worried for his chances now that he’s disrespected the panda stuffed animal. They also made them walk around the venue with the pandas and wave a lot, again, hilarious.
Will Bing Dwen Dwen get the last laugh? Tune in on Friday, February 11 at 3:00am for the live answer…you know I will be because time doesn’t exist for me during the Olympics.
Royer's Olympic Blog 