In 2010 I reprised my role as the short track speedskating analyst for NBC Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. One of the perks of being an Olympian (“Once an Olympian, Always an Olympian, Never Former, Never Past” as the Olympic motto says) was that I was able to gain access to a series of “houses” around town that catered to sponsors, Olympians, and their families. Proctor and Gamble - P&G - was a major sponsor and had procured a large house not far out of the downtown area where I was staying that was supposed to have excellent food. On the day they opened their doors I headed over to their “house” to obtain my credentials which would allow me to enter for the duration of the Olympics.

Like the other houses including the USA House, Canada House, Russia House, Heinekin Holland house, Bud Dome, etc. the P&G house featured a free restaurant and bar, conference rooms, studio spaces, and tons of viewing areas to watch the games - some more private, and some in large open areas to see and be seen.

I entered the house and passed through light security before being ushered over to a kiosk where a woman was verifying identification and access, taking pictures, and laminating photo credentials attached to a lanyard. This starts to feel like a daily process at the games. It was busy and I was about fifth in line. Ahead of me was a profile that seemed familiar and as he turned to greet a well-wisher I quickly was able to place a name to the face. It was Johnny Wier - here for his second Olympic appearance as a male figure skater, but well before his days as a broadcaster.

Short Track and figure skating share the same booth every other day so I was well aware of the character and caricature that Johnny represented on ice. Unsurprisingly his off-ice persona was no different and, dressed to the nines, he tapped his foot impatiently as we waited for our turn in the line.

Finally, as the line dwindled, it was his turn, and he carefully dropped his bag, took off his coat, and then posed for his picture, angling slightly in a carefully scripted pose. The shutter clicked and in a split second Johnny was rushing behind the kiosk to see the digital photo that would grace his lanyard.

“No, no, no - that won’t do!” he cried. “Take it again, take it again!” and he resumed his prior pose with some minor modifications. Again the shutter and again the swift return behind the kiosk. “Oh no, no that won’t do!” “Again!”

On it went, with no less than five takes until he was finally grudgingly satisfied and left with his newly minted credential into the P&G house. I met the eyes of the woman behind the kiosk and we both shrugged and chuckled. In one take I was ushered into the P&G house absent any drama.

PS: In Sochi 2014, I was able to spend time with Tara (Lipinski) and Johnny in the booth and the commissary and he’s a genuinely kind and interested and interesting person. I think he and Tara make a great team and have lifted the level of coverage for that sport to a new level. I am a fan.

Why Am I Still Alive Pt. 22: The First Time I Met Johnny Wier