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charlene · 02-28-2010, 05:02 PM

From no gold to record gold awarded this year is astounding. THe gold is what the athletes go for - it's the pinnacle.
It's nice that Canadian athletes and the country have been vocal and 'out there' with the attitude of wanting to win. Years past have seen us stand meekly by and politely say 'well it's all about the journey, it's a privilege to be on the team, yadda yadda yadda." And we then pilloried the poor athletes fo not winning! Holy crap. We set a goal - 'own the podium' - to some it's brash and un-canadian. well we set a goal like the aussies did - they set a goal of 60 medals when they held the olympics. Did anyone get bent out of shape over their 'expectations'??
We've been polite about our expression of wanting to win. It wasn't arrogant to put it out there - it has spurred the athletes to perform.t I heard an athlete this morning say that they never felt pressure, only support from Canadians Many of our athletes came in at silver, bronze and 4th by 10ths of a second..even 100th of a second.. that's not losing really..
We're polite when we win and when we lose. We apologize for being polite. good gawd. Unforseen things happened during the Olympics - yet other nations/broadcasters/networks say they are the worst games ever and list the weather, faulty machinery, torch lighting/ cauldrons not working, things out of the control of humans as the problem. The fencing around the huge flaming cauldron was criticized...yet if some dipshit had hurt himself in a drunken stupor there'd be hell to pay. It's a massive undertaking to host an Olympics and there is so much more that happened that was amazing, miraculous, touching, heartwarming and inspiring that can be talked about. Across the country there has been a pride not felt or shown for a long time on such a scale.
The Olympic torch relay with 12 thousand people running the torch over Canada for 45,000 km started it. What an amazing undertaking, not without it's petty controversies either but what an accomplishment.
I marvel at the sheer love of the sport that all involved have and display during the Olympics. And none moreso than the athletes themselves. They deserve to be proud of all they have invested, regardless of medals or countries they represent.
I find it all so humbling.

02-28-2010, 05:02 PM	#24
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,001	Re: An Olympian continues on From no gold to record gold awarded this year is astounding. THe gold is what the athletes go for - it's the pinnacle. It's nice that Canadian athletes and the country have been vocal and 'out there' with the attitude of wanting to win. Years past have seen us stand meekly by and politely say 'well it's all about the journey, it's a privilege to be on the team, yadda yadda yadda." And we then pilloried the poor athletes fo not winning! Holy crap. We set a goal - 'own the podium' - to some it's brash and un-canadian. well we set a goal like the aussies did - they set a goal of 60 medals when they held the olympics. Did anyone get bent out of shape over their 'expectations'?? We've been polite about our expression of wanting to win. It wasn't arrogant to put it out there - it has spurred the athletes to perform.t I heard an athlete this morning say that they never felt pressure, only support from Canadians Many of our athletes came in at silver, bronze and 4th by 10ths of a second..even 100th of a second.. that's not losing really.. We're polite when we win and when we lose. We apologize for being polite. good gawd. Unforseen things happened during the Olympics - yet other nations/broadcasters/networks say they are the worst games ever and list the weather, faulty machinery, torch lighting/ cauldrons not working, things out of the control of humans as the problem. The fencing around the huge flaming cauldron was criticized...yet if some dipshit had hurt himself in a drunken stupor there'd be hell to pay. It's a massive undertaking to host an Olympics and there is so much more that happened that was amazing, miraculous, touching, heartwarming and inspiring that can be talked about. Across the country there has been a pride not felt or shown for a long time on such a scale. The Olympic torch relay with 12 thousand people running the torch over Canada for 45,000 km started it. What an amazing undertaking, not without it's petty controversies either but what an accomplishment. I marvel at the sheer love of the sport that all involved have and display during the Olympics. And none moreso than the athletes themselves. They deserve to be proud of all they have invested, regardless of medals or countries they represent. I find it all so humbling.