Entertainment NOW

2 • January 30 - February 5, 2022 Entertainment Now By Rachel Jones TV Media I t's that time again — time to light the torch and pit nation against nation in a friendly battle of strength and skill. The 2022 Winter Olympics are being hosted in China this year, with the opening ceremony airing once more from the National Stadium in Beijing. NBC brings live cover- age to viewers, beginning with the opening ceremony on Friday, Feb. 4. Not only is the National Stadium the only venue to hold both the summer and winter Olympics opening ceremonies, but this year's festivities are be- ing directed by famed Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou ("Hero," 2002). Yimou has experience in this field already, as he directed the opening ceremony for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Now 71 years old, the acclaimed filmmaker recently revealed his intention to weave the impact of the pandemic into this year's ceremony. "In the wake of the pan- demic, the world needs a new and strengthened vision," Yimou said. "That is, people of the world come together to face difficulties and look forward to a bright future." With a theme focusing on that "bright future," it seems only fitting to look at the bright future of two U.S. athletes competing in some of the first events to fol- low the opening ceremony: Paul Schommer and Becca Hamilton. Schommer, who has qualified for his first Olympic Games this year, is competing as part of the U.S. Biathlon team. He earned his spot by finishing with a personal best of 22nd place in the men's 20-kilometer individual event on Nov. 27 in Õstersund, Sweden. His Olympic debut will be an exciting follow-up to what's sure to be a spectacular ceremony. Meanwhile, second-time Olym- pian Becca Hamilton is competing in the women's curling team and the mixed doubles events. Ham- ilton qualified for the Olympic Games alongside her brother, Matt Hamilton, this year — he's to compete in the men's curling team and the mixed doubles events. After what has been a chal- lenging couple of years for the entire world, it will be nice to kick start the games by witnessing athletes proudly represent their countries and make a permanent mark on their sport. The opening ceremony has evolved throughout many Olym- pic Games — both summer and winter — sifting through eras, cultures and social change to become the perfect blend of tradi- tion and festivity. While there is al- ways an expectation to continue the rituals that have been per- formed over several decades, it's important to remember that, first and foremost, the Olympics are a celebration. As director, Yimou gets the chance to represent the voice of the hosting country (also his home country), before seeing it delivered to viewers around the world. We've become accustomed to the world (and sporting events) looking quite different in the past few years, and the 2022 Olympics will be no exception. While there are many things that set this time-honored competition apart, the Olympic opening ceremony is like nothing you'll see at any other sporting event. Commonly referred to as the Bird's Nest, the National Sta- dium boasts the world's largest steel structure as its outer shell, making it a complex and stunning venue to host this special event. Yimou has also promised other "unprecedented" changes to this year's kickoff, and he particularly noted a shift in the manner in which the torch is lit — certainly not a moment to miss. Cover Story Becca Hamilton of Team USA to compete in Beijing 2022 curling event Celebration of sport: The world comes together at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony Ready Rental 3 x 4 Hayley Siefert 3 x 2 Letters & Numbers Sudoku Fill in the grid so that every row,every column, and every 4x4 box contains the digits 1 through 9 AND the letters A-F. Solution on page 12.

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