February 23rd, 2010
Canadians Deal with Olympic Disappointment
I think it’s safe to say that the Olympics have been a disappointment for Canada, both for the public and the athletes themselves. With just nine medals to our credit as of Day 11 of the games, it appears the Canadian Olympic Committee’s (COC) goal of winning the entire Olympics will fall just a tad short. And by a “tad” I’m mean by twenty medals or so.
Left, Canada's medal expectations, right, actual medals.
The COC set its lofty goal back in 2004, looking to “Own the Podium” by 2010. Today Chris Rudge, the COC’s chief executive officer, conceded that Canada will indeed not own the podium. Thanks for the update Chris. At this point it looks like the only thing Canadians will own are the wet blankets the Americans have been dashing our Olympic hopes with.
Guaranteeing supremacy is really bold statement; unless you’re Babe Ruth or Mark Messier, you probably shouldn’t try it. But Canada wanted to be bold, saying to its athletes nothing short of complete and utter dominance will do. The weight of our country is on your shoulders, guys, so don’t choke, don’t choke, doooooooooon’t choke!
"I guarantee a bag of Lays Potato Chips will be the next Stanley Cup Champs."
I get that we wanted to perform well on home soil, but let’s face it, predicting victory is the kiss of death. Speaking those words basically fixes the cosmic laws of probability against you. It also gets your athlete thinking it is gold or bust.
Case in point, Sunday’s ski-cross event. Canadian Chris Del Bosco had a sure bronze medal as he approached the second last jump in the four-skier race, until he got aggressive. Looking for a big shiny hunk of gold, Del Bosco took the jump hard attempting to pass and wound up hard on his ass, losing a medal in the process.
For Del Bosco and the rest of the Canadian Olympians, the pressure has to be immense. I get stressed out trying to send my artwork to the newspapers on time. If I was staring down world-class talent on an international stage I’d more than likely have a bowel malfunction, then retire to the safety of the fetal position.
The fact that our athletes can function at all under that kind of stress truly impresses me. We’ve given them a ridiculously difficult task, and they have given it there best. I think that’s good enough for me.
give me a break it was fun wasnt it? blame the corporatization of elite athletes.