The ice dancing and figure skating remind me too much of Olympic gymnastics, which in my opinion is borderline child abuse. And my idea of icing is chilling a martini glass. Japanese citizens generally aren't thrilled about the Nagano games, either. Rumors that the area is overrun with Olympic tourists have killed business at ski resorts. The locals so far are not cashing in on the Winter Games.
Hotels sit empty except for foreign television crews.
Many people in Nagano complain about the economic burden, the nuisance and the traffic restrictions imposed throughout the Games. In typically Japanese style, major decisions were made by the bureaucracy and simply announced, without drawing the public into the process. For many Nagano citizens, it'll just be a nuisance. Meanwhile, CBS is broadcasting the Nagano games back to the States from its command center in a local Buddhist temple. I think our Buddha approves of our cooperation with the Olympics.