I have always been a huge Olympics fan. I belonged to a track club when I was an eight-year-old, and I can still remember reading about the 1968 Mexico Games in Sports Illustrated. That was the year Bob Beamon shattered the world record in the long jump, posting a new mark that took 23 years to beat.

For two weeks during those Games I would patiently wait at the breakfast table for my dad to finish the sports section of the newspaper. When it was my turn, I would read every article that was Olympic related. I couldn't get enough of it. I credit the sports writers of the day for making it easy for me to enjoy reading. The stories were fantastic to my young mind then and they still are now.

In 1972 my grandmother brought home a dozen posters from the Munich Games for me and they remained in my bedroom until I moved out of the family home. I still have these beautiful Otl Aicher designed pieces. I have watched and read everything about the Olympics ever since. There have been dozens of fascinating stories of accomplishment and disappointment, all of which transcend typical human experience.

Naturally, I was thrilled many years ago when it was announced Vancouver and Whistler would be hosting the Winter Games. I must say I truly respect the accomplishments of John Furlong and his team and everything they have done to bring this incredible competition to our backyard.

The first few days of the Games were frustrating for me. The foreign press was lambasting the event for many ill-conceived and remarkably questionable reasons. Luckily, a few unbelievably beautiful sunny days changed the tone of those early dark hours and the international press began to see what we take for granted and understand why Vancouver consistently rates as one of the most desired places to live in the world.

A bunch of us went up to Whistler last weekend. I spent a few hours skiing with my daughter and a couple of our best friends watched the Canada-U.S. game in the village and generally enjoyed soaking in the vibrant atmosphere that was easily crafted by boisterous laughter and thousands of perma-grinned faces.

The vibe and the scenery have certainly contributed to the ultimate success of these wonderful Games, but at the end of the day, these past two weeks have been about athletic accomplishment and everything that it means.

Regardless of what happens today or tomorrow, the moment of the Games arrived for me in a facial expression I saw on TV Tuesday night. The expression belonged to Joannie Rochette, who had just completed a beautiful routine in women's figure skating. As you probably know, her mother and number one fan passed away from a heart attack last Sunday.

Rochette's expression bore the contours of several emotions, which all spoke to ultimate triumph in the face of incredible mental and physical adversity.

Her face showed all that makes athletic achievement so admirable and compelling and it certainly justified any price tag associated with these Games.

The 2010 Winter Olympics have been a tremendous success. Thank you, Joannie. Those who love the Olympics, young and old, admire and respect you.