Bobsled veteran battle-hardened Web-posted 2/4/98   NAGANO -- Brian Shimer has been riding his emotions to bobsled success since 1985. He is a battle-hardened veteran and has not been beaten down by this tough sport.

Skiers like to be on fringe Web-posted 2/4/98   NAGANO -- Moguls skiers like to be on the fringe, always on the edge of respectability, especially at the temple of tradition that is the Olympics.

Notebook from Nagano Web-posted 2/4/98   NAGANO -- Moguls skiers are among the wilder athletes in the Olympic Games

Postcard home Web-posted 2/4/98   I had the most exquisite traditional Japanese dinner in Hakone the other night. We started by removing our shoes and sitting in a mostly private room with rice paper walls.

Temple ceremony impressive Web-posted 2/3/98   NAGANO -- The solemn procession moved up the long path to the temple.

Mother, daughter go for gold Web-posted 2/3/98   NAGANO -- A mother-daughter relationship can be difficult even under the best of circumstances. Especially when the daughter becomes a teenager.

Notebook from Nagano Web-posted 2/3/98   NAGANO -- The Japanese Olympic team wants to do well before the home crowds for the Winter Games in Nagano. Some people think the extra attention will put extra pressure on them.

Postcard home Web-posted 2/3/98   NAGANO -- The Japanese love to eat well and usually have a wide variety of fresh food. By any measure, Japan -- especially Tokyo -- gets a top rating on my food index.

Old, young on ski team Web-posted 2/3/98   NAGANO -- The final U.S. ski team for the Nagano Olympics announced today is a combination of proven veterans and up-and-coming young stars preparing for the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002.

Postcard home Web-posted 2/3/98   NAGANO -- It's easy to see why the Japanese are eager to play golf when they come to the United States.

Georgian wears different faces Web-posted 2/1/98   NAGANO, Japan -- Is Chip Minton an Olympic bobsledder who wrestles professionally to make ends meet?

Sayonara South, hello Nagano Web-posted 1/31/98   TOKYO -- Leaving my Olympic identity card at home as I started my trip to Japan to cover the Winter Olympics certainly was not the smartest thing I've ever done. It was not a good omen for the start of a month-long journey to a part of the world I had never visited.

Postcard from Nagano Web-posted 1/31/98   Konnichi wa. Tokyo looks like any other major city in the world except there is more of everything: people, cars, pollution.

Sport by sport preview Web-posted 1/31/98   NAGANO -- Aside from the usual pageantry, politics and intrigue surrounding the Winter Olympics, there will be plenty of exciting sports action. Records will be set, new stars will emerge and controversy will erupt over someone's equipment.