The Olympics are over and now I can return to normal life. Yes, I’ve been caught up in Olympic fever for the past 17 days. I watched as skiers, skaters, sleders, and snowboarders carved, sped, and jumped their way across my TV screen.

And like the rest of America, I saw plenty of Olympic moments come and go.

Among them, I saw Michelle Kwan win the Bronze medal. Or lose the Gold, depending on your perspective. The media had made her the skater of the moment and set her up to win the gold, not because she’s a great skater but because she deserved it. Yes, at the cusp of her moment in 1998 in Nagano, Kwan was up-ended by Tara Lipinski. How rude of Lipinski to skate better than Kwan.

So now Kwan was going to get what was rightfully hers - the gold. But it happened again. Kwan was up-ended and walked away with the bronze. Sarah Hughes replace Lipinski this time to steal the gold from Kwan. Or maybe, Kwan shouldn’t have fallen down. Just a thought.

So Kwan stood there with the Bronze hanging from her neck like it was toilet paper that she was going to wipe her butt with. The look on her face was telling. No matter there are hundreds and hundreds of athletes that would love the bronze, would cherish the bronze, and in old age would pass it to their grandkids with a loving story of a grand Olympic moment. But no, Kwan wore it like a scarlet letter. No matter Sarah Hughes skated a perfect routine. Maybe there is a greater victory here. Maybe it’s Kwan’s time to learn some humility and appreciate what she has.

Speaking of bronze, Brian Shimer finally won a medal in his 5th Olympic attempt in the 4-man bobsled. The 39 year-old came to compete for the final time. Piloting a sled for the United States, he was behind the whole day. In the last attempt he squeaked his team into 3rd place. It was really something to see Shimer jump for utter joy at the fact he would have a Bronze. Grinning from ear to ear, he could hardly speak during the post event interview.

Then there was skier Bode Miller. He scored two silvers by the end. But the media did one spotlight after another on Miller and how he was raised. They couldn’t tell us enough he grew up in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing. I kept thinking, doesn’t something like 25% of the worlds population live that way? Why is it so shocking? Because Bob Costas said so?

Then again, maybe I shouldn’t critique. I could only get into the Olympics if eating Nacho’s became an event. But I am glad I don’t have to see anymore Gateway commercials with that cow discussing how cool it would be to win a medal at the Olympics. The only thing that cow would get is his ass on a hamburger being served to a hungry Australian.