Two Problems

The Olympics are wrapping up today, and no I'm not watching the hockey game that is on right now. Overall I have been really impressed with these Olympic Games and the performances of our Canadian athletes have been truly inspiring.

International media has critiqued every aspect of the Games, with the typical complaints being the weather, the partying, and the tragedy on the opening day. The weather has been unseasonably warm in Vancouver over the last two weeks, - warmer than it was in June of 2008 for Tri Worlds - but I don't see how Vanoc is responsible for the record-breaking meteorological anomaly. The events were hardly affected by the weather, besides a few skiing events which were delayed (a normal part of every winter Olympics). And athletes have had nothing but praise for the venues and events.

The other major criticism I have heard throughout the Olympics has been the partying in downtown Vancouver. For those international media who haven't been to Vancouver prior to the Games, welcome to Vancouver. Its loud, its a harbour town, Granville Street is crazy, get over it.

Perhaps the most disconcerting criticism of the Olympics has surrounded the tragic death of the Georgian luger on Day 1. The media has been so hung up on trying to place the blame, it has been utterly ignored that it was a freak accident, and as heartbreaking as it was to see the video of the young man lose his life, it is an inherent and accepted aspect of the extremely dangerous sport. The recognition and moment of silence during the opening ceremonies was both appropriate and touching, and the Games have taken on an essence of overcoming tragedy with triumph. Still, people search for someone to blame rather than recognize the tragedy, when (apparently) it was the media themselves who pushed for the Whistler Sliding Centre to be the fastest and most dangerous track in the world, for drama's sake.

The Beijing Games have become the standard to which all future Olympics may be measured, and have been considered wildly successful. Considering we didn't bulldoze any neighbourhoods, and didn't send our protesters to work camps for "re-education", I'd say they've done a pretty damn good job.

While there have been some disappointments, Canadian athletes have been overwhelmingly successful and the performances have inspired countless young Canadians (myself included) to strive for greatness. I can only hope that will be the true legacy of the Vancouver Games. But I do have two problems with the coverage of these Games. The first is that damn "I Believe" song. I'm sick of it, and I can't stand that within 10 minutes of every medal performance CTV has made the athlete into a god, showing them in slow motion with the token piano and choir playing. Its annoying, and I can't imagine what non-Canadians watching CTV think of us. Not to mention, "I believe in the power of you and I" is grammatically incorrect...whoever wrote that is an idiot.

The next criticism I have of the games is the all but exclusive focus on the hockey tournament, to the detriment of far more deserving stories and performances throughout the Games. The majority of Canadians couldn't care less how the other Canadian athletes have fared if we don't win hockey gold, and others will consider the entire Olympics a failure if Canada doesn't win the game today.

Meanwhile, Devon Kershaw came a Canadian best-ever 5th place in the men's 50km cross country ski race, and was heartbroken, crying in his interview that he missed Olympic gold by 1.6 seconds. But no one knows his courageous effort and unequivocal desire for personal and Canadian success, because it was on at the same time as the hockey pre-game show. And how many Canadians were watching Charles Hamelin win two gold medals, along with another two Canadian medals in other sports, while hockey semi-finals were on last Friday? For what my opinion is worth, I agree with taking NHL players out of the Olympics for that reason alone.

The Olympics are the pinnacle of sport, and most Olympic athletes sacrifice their entire lives for the chance to compete. Many of Canada's 2012 hopefuls in triathlon virtually live under the poverty line, struggling for funding, dedicating their livelihood to the chance of reaching that pinnacle of our sport. Yet multi-millionaire hockey players show up in Vancouver and take over Canada's attention. They take away from the stories and performances of our other athletes.

Of course I'm a hockey fan too, but it frustrates me that it is all anyone cares about. If we win gold today, it will be one of fourteen gold medals. It doesn't count for any more than any other gold medal-worthy performance. So stop making it out to be more.