In Europe, crowds of spectators ring bells to cheer on ski racers. Bell ringing motivates athletes and adds to spectator's fun while saving their voices. You might remember hearing the crowds ring bells during the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics. Norwegians adopted the tradition from the Swiss who have been ringing bells at sporting events for generations. In Norway and many other European countries, farmers put bells on their livestock so that they can find animals in mountain pastures where they spend the summer. A farmer can often tell which animal is missing by the sound of the bell; individually crafted bells have slightly different sounds. Bells are worn by sheep, goats and cows. Some say that ringing bells at sporting events helps the European participant feel like they are at home in the mountains where bells are heard as often as birdsong.
read more about how bells are made
a picture of me at the 2002 winter olympics in Salt Lake City with my cowbell and olympic flag
13 comments:
I haven't been watching much of the Olympics, but this is an interesting post & quite educating! Thanks
I'm so glad you posted this - I've actually been wondering about the bells and kept meaning to google it. What a cool tradition, and definitely easier on the vocal chords too.
That's very cool information, Kaye! I guess you are watching the Vancouver Olympics! The Americans are doing very well.
I, too, had been wondering about them. I'm glad you posted this, because I was beginning to find them annoying. Also, a rather flamboyant local weatherman has been using one during his broadcast, which is definitely contributing to the annoyance. Those things are LOUD!
I love that enthusiastic look on your face!!!
Thank you. Actually, I had wondered about the cow bells, though it already made a kind of visceral sense.
I didn't go to the Olympics when they were in Atlanta, I don't like crowds. But really, I wish I had gone. I'll bet it's glorious to see it in person.
Interesting. I didn't even know about bells being rung at the Olympics! Shows how observant I am! Thanks for the visit!
adds an extra layer to the phrase made popular by SNL... "more cowbell" ;)
I've always loved the cowbells at the Olympics ... Loved them even more travelling around Europe and hearing them in the mountains of Austria, Switzerland... gorgeous! And haunting in the fog.
You actually got to go to an Olympics - oh Wow! I've wanted to since I was a kid.
I was just watching the bobsled races tonight and you could hear the cowbells. I don't always notice them.
I had no idea! I love your bell - what a fun photo!
Thanks for the info. The bells during the Olympics make me nuts. But I bet if I were there in person, I'd love them.
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