It might appear strange that in a country where the temperature seldom drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit so much interest is shown in the Winter Olympics.

Rarely, it seems, have Bermudians been as captivated by past Games as they have by the current snow show in Salt Lake City.

Local luger Patrick Singleton can take much credit for that as can pairs skater Jamie Sal?, whose father resides on the Island.

The blanket TV coverage, the fact that so many Bermudians now take ski vacations, and an increase in the local population of Canadians (who through ice hockey have actually found an international sport in which they can compete!) has all contributed to the Games new-found appeal.

Whatever the reason, there's no doubt that winter sports are growing in popularity.

And despite the fact that many children on the Island have never even seen snow, there's no good reason why in the future Bermuda can't play a bigger role in the Winter Games.

First Simon Payne, also a luger, and now Singleton have shown what can be achieved through dedication and determination.

And as Singleton said himself, numerous international lugers come from countries where there are no luge tracks.

The first gold medal by an Afro-American bobsledder this week will also hopefully have served as an inspiration and dismissed the long-held theory that the Games are for whites only.

Despite Singleton's disappointment after crashing on the second of his four runs last week, he was fooling no-one when he told journalists he felt he had let his country down.

He had done anything but. Those who watched the luge on TV will have appreciated the difficulty and danger of merely competing in the sport.

Having climbed back to a very respectable 37th place finish, Singleton still thought he should have done better.

He needn't have worried.

Mere mortals would have been delirious simply to have reached the finish line after bolting down a sheet of ice at speeds up to 90 mph on little more than a tin tray.

Bermuda Luge Association currently has a membership of one. It would be nice to think that in four years' time, it could report an increase in numbers.

NONE of us in the media will begrudge sportscaster Mike Sharpe the honour bestowed upon him at last Saturday night's annual Government Sports Awards.

Indeed most will be eternally grateful it was he and not they who was singled out.

After all, there can be no greater insult than for a journalist to be recognised for his or her "positive reporting" as was the case at Saturday's Princess hotel bash.

Right there and then any aspirations Sharpy may have had of joining the CBS '60 Minutes' crew, or any other serious news organisation for that matter, flew out of the window.

But never mind Mike, it will still look awfully good on the public relations resum?!