You know what really grinds my gears…
August 14th, 2008 by Cliff
I’m sick of how the press is making a mochary of our Canadian Olympic athletes. All you hear and read is when is the medal drought going to end, whens the medal drought going to end? You know what, maybe they should look a little deeper than just the 2 minutes of high lights on TV.
If you think of our Canadian mens hockey team, ranked number 1 in the world, they should win gold at the winter Olympics because they are number 1. But if you think of our athletes in Beijing who are ranked 5th, 6th and further back, why should we expect a miracle and for them to be number 1 and grab gold? There is a reason why they are ranked going into the Olymipics, competing many times over the prevoius four years to get that placing.
I would be elated if I was rankd 6th in the world and finished fourth. Sure I’d want to be number 1 but sometimes that just isn’t possible when the best racers race at their best.. I think that if each of the athletes improve on their personal best, then that is a huge step. Sure it sucks that they don’t win a medal but maybe it truly isn’t their time.
There are so many factors about the Olympics that you just don’t get with other World Competitions. TV coverage, the media in your face 24/7, all the other athletes, etc. Most should be use to the travel from competing on the world scene but some of the younger athletes may not be as experienced as the older ones. Plus it only happens every 4 years! Thats a lot of pressure to put on yourself to perform. The best rise to the top and I think that as long as our athletes improve (like I said improve their PBs) then that is a huge step!
If you’d like to do something about this, getting our Canadians further up in the world rankings and put them on the podium then why not donate to them. Money is a HUGE factor for these athletes. Most don’t have full sponsors or any at all. I know from just my (little) experience that trying to train full time and keep a job is really hard!
Instead of being a nay sayer like everyone else, why not put your money where your mouth is and give to our athletes so they don’t have to hear all the negative press winning a medal in London 2012.
Happt (Olympic Watching) Trainin
Cliff
Posted in News
August 14th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
ComPLETEly agree … Wednesday’s Chronicle Herald headline read, “We get Flops. The US gets Phelps.” WTF?!? We’re a tenth the size of the US. How in hell can we compete with their talent pool, their funding? We can’t. And to dismiss, truly spectacular performances because they don’t end with a medal? Well. I for one will take one of those “from the heart”, “bigger than life” efforts over a Ben Johnson moment any day!
August 16th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I agree with Jen, the very fact they are in Olympics, means they should have a medal. Yeh! They are all there to do their best I am sure, and that should be recog.nised
August 17th, 2008 at 9:11 am
ben johnson was a great asset to our country.:) the first of the dopers!
having said that, now that we did win, i dont want those winners on tv. the dude who won silver boating was commentating on the womens marathon. bull poop.
September 5th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I totally agree, even our most elite athletes make little to no money through government support and if their sport isn’t popular with the masses there is no chance a major sponsor will front enough money to allow them to compete to their true best ability. An athlete can’t focus on racing, training and having a normal life if he / she can’t pay to attend training camps, races etc. The public doesn’t seem to realize that it cost money to attend competitions. We won’t get higher in the medal standings until we pony up the dollars for it. And considering how little we do support our athletes I think its amazing how well they do and its a testimony to their dedication to their respective sports, i.e. Cliff and this webpage. Great commentary Cliff.