I must be honest, it took me a long time to believe. I'll be straight up with you all and tell you that I was really annoyed with all of the commercials that aired on CTV about the Vancouver Winter Olympics. I didn't believe, even with the "Own the Podium" Program, I didn't believe that our Canadian athletes would be up to the challenge and the pressure of performing on home turf. I do believe that I was wrong with all of the above.
These winter games made me proud to be a Canadian and for many reasons, now I'm not just jumping on the bandwagon here. I always knew we were nice people, I've lived in Europe for a few years and us Canadians have the reputation of being some of the nicest (sexiest) people you'll meet. I was really proud by the display and conduct of all of our athletes. They performed really well and I'm even talking about the ones that didn't win any medals. Host city Vancouver, from all that I've read has been nothing but a 17 day party that was safe and fun for everyone. All of this, our first gold medal on Canadian soil by a hometown boy from Quebec... forget politics because this is sport and all of Canada was proud that it was Alexandre Bilodeau who touched gold first. Tragedy did cast a shadow on these games though, first off in practise on day one Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvil lost control of his luge and crash into a medal column dying instantly. Then later in the week Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette's mother died of a heart attack just a few days before her daughter had to take the ice. The push, drive and consentration that Joannie had trained for, helped her put her pain elsewhere and focus on what her and her mother had spent years after years to help make Joannie dream come true. When she skated, I was tearing up inside and most of us where. In the end, we all broke into tears across the country before she did. She is a true olympian and deserved her medal.
Oh and Team Canada won the gold but c'mon, we all had a hunch somewhere that Sid The Kid was going to get it passed Miller who was a solid solid American wall. My father and uncle will always have that memory of Canada beating the USSR back in 72. Now our generation will always have that image of Crosby winning it in overtime. This is our game and I'm proud to say it. I hope that even now with the games being over and all the world has taken their eyes off of our country. That we Canadians will see how important we are to the world and that were more than just a friendly neighbour. We are strong, we are proud and we are Canadian.
Yeah that was really cheesy ending but I just wanted to make an effort for once in the writing soooooo here are a few of my favourite pics from the games, I obviously didn't take any of these and if you click HERE, it will take you to Getty Images. They are the international suppliers of photographs, so whatever you see in newspaper and website, it is most likely from Getty Images. I'm posting the link to avoid a lawsuit. Enjoy and comment.
