My family is nuts about the Olympics. Doesn't matter if it's the winter or summer games, every event we’re interested in always has to be watched live.
We’re crazy that way.
Watching live was fine in 2010 when the Winter Olympics were actually here in Vancouver and we were in the same time zone. Even in 2012 when they were in England, the 8-hour time difference was manageable.
By the way, Canadian/English trifle is perfectly acceptable for breakfast on just such an occasion.
Plus, the 2012 Olympics happened while the kids were on summer vacation, so staying up late and getting up early to watch the events live wasn’t too much of an issue.
However, with the 2014 Sochi Olympics, there is a 12-hour time difference and the games are happening smack dab in the middle of the school year. This morning my kids got up at 3:00am so that they could watch the Slopestyle qualifying rounds and cheer on the Canadian competitors.
Did I not just say we were crazy that way?
Soon enough the kids will realize that watching the events live this year is going to be difficult, so I’m loading up their mobile devices with some apps so they can stay up to date without losing hours of sleep.
Some of the best Olympic apps I’ve found are:
The CBC Olympics app provides you with full, wide-ranging, dynamic and real-time coverage of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games, including live streaming of all Olympic competitions, in real time with enhanced stats. Features video highlights, results, medal count, and real-time events.
This app is sponsored by the Oreo, Ritz, Cadbury, and Dentyne brands and each download equals a $1 donation to the Canadian Olympic Foundation. Fun for kids, the app offers special prizes for the user, as well as medal counts and a full event schedule.
This app by the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee is a great mobile guide to the games, and very well done. There is a complete guide to the events, as well as a schedule. You can also compile your own schedule of events you want to keep track of so that you don’t miss your favourites.
Additionally, check out these hashtags and links to follow on social media so you can stay up to date with everything Olympic during the games:
Do you love the Olympics? Read this article about Erica Ehm's experience in London at the 2012 games and how a Canadian Olympic hero made an impact with my daughter’s soccer team.
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