Owned at the podium
Canada's quest to own the podium isn't quite coming to fruition as hoped. The Americans are doing a good job of squatting our podium in the 2010 Winter Olympics and there are reports that Canada will fall short of its expectations. However, there is much more going on here than just the athletes failing to medal. Other countries, most notably the Brits, are complaining and lambasting the Vancouver games; calling them the worst games ever and so on. We are also taking flack for our program that was meant to produce top athletes. Apparently when we, the often quiet, laid back Canucks make such grandiose statements, suddenly we are too arrogant.
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Suddenly the funding given to our athletes is an unfair advantage and yet here we sit, currently in 4th place in the medal count, way behind the USA who has better talent. That's all it comes down to, in a weird way, our country that typically has more snow than our neighbours has a knack for finishing 4th, 5th, 6th etc. We have the media who constantly cries that our athletes gave it their all, but what we need is a lot less talking and a lot more winning, especially if you're going to implement a program and hype it up throughout the media. Right now, we have our collective feet in our mouths and it really is quite embarrassing. I don't buy into the play for the sake of playing crap, in the Olympics, you're expected to win, win ,win. Personal bests aren't good enough, only a medal will suffice. This own the podium so far has come back to kick us in the teeth, all bark and no bite.
As far as the rest of the world snubbing their noses at our new philosophy, I say who cares what you think? Perhaps Canadians are tired of seeing our athletes accomplish personal bests and nothing more. We want winners and if you don't like it, don't compete with them. I think that with this new attitude, perhaps this program will pay off in the future, if it isn't scrapped after these games. If you want to be the best, you have to be the best. It works for the Americans so why not here?
| Print article | This entry was posted by zerodivision on 02/19/10 at 06:01:37 pm . Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. |
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02/21/10 @ 05:22:43 pm
A four or eight year program and everyone thinks that we'll take goldin every event? Expectations were too high and the marketing didn't fit the reality. The Americans and Russians have been spending on sports training for decades.
As far as the Brits. They have the summer games scheduled for London in two years. Their reality will be quite different than their musings today. I wouldn't want to be in London in 2021.
02/21/10 @ 05:23:21 pm
***2012
02/22/10 @ 02:53:58 pm
I didn't expect us to suddenly win all these gold medals. They chose a stupid name for this program and it's come back to bite us. The way our athletes are finishing in 4th and 5th in many events tells me that they are benefiting from this infusion of money. All the hype is what has caused many to be upset with our athletes. I hope they continue with this program but under a new banner. Hopefully in 4 years we can be at the podium more than we have been. There is more work to be done but its close. I just find it an insult that they spend so much on security, close to a billion dollars and a seemingly small amount on our athletes.
I'm tired of reading the comments in the news about how Canada has the nerve to think they can compete with the US and Europe. WTF is that, it is that defeatist attitude that many Canadians share that causes us to falter and doubt ourselves. Although our own the program slogan was cocky, the spirit is there, and again, with a better name perhaps we wouldn't be feeling so down right now.
02/24/10 @ 12:13:32 am
I take back all my disdain that I have been showing this past week. After watching Joannie Rochette skate tonight, I was blown away. It's amazing that she even had the courage and the will to skate after losing her mother tragically just a few days ago. She just won something better than gold in my opinion for she skated her personal best ever. With all the things going on in her mind and the weight on her shoulders, she is a true champion regardless of the outcome in the free skate. Cheers for Joannie!