Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - Winter Olympic medals:Australia,Canada,etc

charlene · 03-06-2010, 11:32 PM

The monies spent on athletes/training/facilities etc. was basically because the Olympics were being held here in Canada. We had never won a gold medal in winter olympics held here in 2 previous Olympics and the Own The Podium initiative may not have ended with us winning the most medals but the most 'first place' medals, breaking a record for winter games. It is yet to be seen if the monies will continue to flow.
The country wide involvement and sense of pride was beyond amazing. Television viewing of the Olympics was off the charts (as it was in the U.S. too) - Something like 75% of Canadians watched the gold medal hockey game last sunday. OUr previous polite platitudes of "oh we're just happy to be here..." when we'd fail to get to the podium left everyone with a sense of helplessness. It may have seemed 'un-canadian' to have "Own the Podium" but it gave the athletes so much support - it wasn't just about getting to the podium - it was about a pride and feel good attitude we finally could display and revel in. It's good for a country to feel it and not feel guilty. There's many things abut the Olympics I don't care for but I admire those who sacrifice for their sport and country. For years Canadian athletes received little or no money, some still don't but it certainly was a wonderful 17 days of high and low emotions and some amazingly brave athletes giving their all, some in the most dire of circumstances. I loved it all. THe few athletes from 'summer' climes showed as much grit as those from winter climes and they did it with class and grace and humour. Well except for that former canuck, now aussie who should have been given a gold medal for poutiness..lol
Yep - it's just sports.
But it really is so much more and no I don't mean in regards to 'my country vs. your country' sort of thinking...
It can and does bring out the best in everyone involved. (with a few exceptions)
Not everyone is crazy about sports and that's fine...but I think we all can relate to how wanting and working to to be the best we can be in our own lives makes everyone a winner.

03-06-2010, 11:32 PM	#3
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,001	Re: Winter Olympic medals:Australia,Canada,etc The monies spent on athletes/training/facilities etc. was basically because the Olympics were being held here in Canada. We had never won a gold medal in winter olympics held here in 2 previous Olympics and the Own The Podium initiative may not have ended with us winning the most medals but the most 'first place' medals, breaking a record for winter games. It is yet to be seen if the monies will continue to flow. The country wide involvement and sense of pride was beyond amazing. Television viewing of the Olympics was off the charts (as it was in the U.S. too) - Something like 75% of Canadians watched the gold medal hockey game last sunday. OUr previous polite platitudes of "oh we're just happy to be here..." when we'd fail to get to the podium left everyone with a sense of helplessness. It may have seemed 'un-canadian' to have "Own the Podium" but it gave the athletes so much support - it wasn't just about getting to the podium - it was about a pride and feel good attitude we finally could display and revel in. It's good for a country to feel it and not feel guilty. There's many things abut the Olympics I don't care for but I admire those who sacrifice for their sport and country. For years Canadian athletes received little or no money, some still don't but it certainly was a wonderful 17 days of high and low emotions and some amazingly brave athletes giving their all, some in the most dire of circumstances. I loved it all. THe few athletes from 'summer' climes showed as much grit as those from winter climes and they did it with class and grace and humour. Well except for that former canuck, now aussie who should have been given a gold medal for poutiness..lol Yep - it's just sports. But it really is so much more and no I don't mean in regards to 'my country vs. your country' sort of thinking... It can and does bring out the best in everyone involved. (with a few exceptions) Not everyone is crazy about sports and that's fine...but I think we all can relate to how wanting and working to to be the best we can be in our own lives makes everyone a winner.