We're on the downhill side of the 2010 Winter Olympics, and I have to admit: my Olympic enthusiasm is starting to wane.
It has nothing to do with the competition or events: I was glued to my televison the last few days watching curling and ice dancing (yes ... ice dancing; go ahead and Google Tessa Virtue) and I darn near lost my voice Sunday night when the Americans were handing it to Canada in ice hockey.
No, my Olympic-sized frown comes from my efforts to fire up for these Games. Luckily, the folks at my favorite watering hole, are Olympic fans, too, and had no problem keeping the games on the televisions each night -- and throwing a great bash for the hockey game last weekend.
But the fact that I can't buy a single piece of Team USA apparel in or around Milwaukee is mind-boggling. Not a single T-shirt, hat or hoodie to be found.
Leading up to our little gathering, I visted or called every sports apparel retailer from Kenosha to Johnson Creek -- and all points in between -- and came up with nothing.
At one store, and I'll spare the staff the humiliation, I was actually asked "what's Team USA ... what league are they in?"
My friend, a huge Chicago Blackhawks fan, called an area hockey store looking for something celebrating Patrick Kane, a Blackhawks' player currently suiting up for Team USA.
"They told me no, but they did have plenty of Sidney Crosby / Team Canada gear," he said.
You've got to be kidding me.
Trying to find any place in the Upper Midwest that sold Team USA hockey jerseys -- especially the killer, 1960-throwback sweaters worn Saturday night --- is all but impossible ... and I really wanted one of those jerseys.
Unfortunately, the only place to get them is online, where the cost is ... well, laughable, and the shipping times lengthy. Bummer.
I can't understand how we can print up thousands of T-shirts within 30 minutes of a team sneaking into baseball's postseason (see: 2008 Brewers) but with two years to plan ... we can't even get a Team USA hat in a store?
It's downright disappointing.
