Vancouver 2010

Ok, so Canada did not win more medals than the rest, however Canada did win more events than the rest. I never thought that not winning enough Bronze medals would be an issue. Today I don't believe it is. Every athlete that came to our great land to compete came to do their best. They all tried. Some succeeded, some failed, but they all lived the Olympic dream.

I am still amazed at the humanity of the entire games. The victories and failures played out on peoples faces is why the Olympics is so special. You don't do this stuff every day. You don't understand what the athletes and coaches really go through. Neither do I, but I do see it played out on their faces and in their effort. Sometimes they do well and sometimes they do not. All the time they produce drama. They make stories. They make you proud, no matter what country you come form.

Olympic games are expensive. Olympic games are worth the expense. It is worth it to see people be great. It is worth it to inspire others to be great. It is worth it to cheer on those who win and those who don't.

There are a lot of people who are against the Olympic games. I hope those people are unhappy for all their days ahead. If it wasn't for this movement, the world would be a much more bleak place.

I enjoyed the games a lot. I will remember that hockey game today, but I will also remember Jon Montgomery winning Gold in a sport I really knew nothing about, and he grew up a block away.

Big Canadian Day at the Olympics

In anything you do there are great days. Today was one of those days for Canadians at the the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. A plethora of medals and a big hockey win can make for a great day.

When you think about international hockey the best match-up you can put together is a Canada - Russia game. All the way back to the '72 Summit Series it has generated some of the games that define the game. Today was not that day. Canada laid a serious smack down on the Russians. The Canadian Men's Hockey Team came out with a mission and a fire in their belly. They made the Russians look bad. They made the Russians look slow. They made the Russians look sloppy. they made the Russians look like they didn't care. We all know the Russians cared. They love hockey as much as Canadians do. They are very good at it but tonight they were very ordinary.

Clara Hughes won another medal today. I cannot imagine attempting the 5000m and forget about doing well it. She did it again adding a Bronze to her collection. She has won several medals and added to her total. She is a great athlete and a great Canadian. Oh, and she is from Winnipeg. I just had to throw that in.

After a disqualification of the Koreans Canada won a Silver Medal in the the Short Track 3000m Relay. I don't know too much about Speed Skating but Canada seems to be good at it. The sport was invented in Quebec so you figure Canadians should have a pretty good understanding of it.

Quite possibly the most impressive result of the day was Canada winning Gold and Silver in Women's Bobsleigh. With two entries and finishing one - two I think that is pretty much owning the podium. All I know about this sport is push hard and go fast and as far as I can tell that's what they did.

Canada is not done yet. There will be a medal in Women's Hockey. They are playing in the finals so they are winning a medal. Both the Men's and Women's Curling teams are in the semi-finals. Four teams left fighting for three medals. I'd say there is a good chance there. The courageous Joannie Rochette is currently third going into the Ladies Free Skate. Finally there is also what many consider the crown jewel. The Canadian Men's Hockey Team is in the semi-finals so there are four teams sorting out three medals. In this case it is Gold or bust.

There are other athletes out there that have opportunities to win as well. As their chance to shine comes up they will do well and hopefully some will walk away with the hardware. However, for this day an amazing showing by Canadians will be remembered and relished.

Own the Podium?

As I am writing this Canada has 6 Gold, 4 Silver, and 1 Bronze medal in the 2010 Winter Olympics. I know it will change before it is all over. The Canadian Women's hockey team will do no worse than silver and I'm sure there will be more.

There has been a lot of talk about how the Americans are well ahead in the medal count and there is no way Canada is going to catch them. There is a lot being said how Canada is not going to own the podium. If you look at it Canada is doing very well at winning events. 6 Gold medals is only one behind the Americans and the Germans. 6 Gold medals is more than total medals won by the Chinese to this point. Where Canada is falling down is in the Bronze. Canada is not doing a very good job at coming in 3rd.

If you program intended to develop elite athletes is not producing its fair share of 3rd place finishes, I think you are doing ok. If 55% of your medals are Gold and you are in the top 5 in the games, I think you are doing ok.

If you look at the total medals won it isn't what the program was hoping for. But I don't know anyone who competes at that level, going out for anything less than Gold. If you are 2nd in the games for Gold medals won, you are doing what is expected.

I never thought I would write about how Canada is not producing enough Bronze medals but if you want to own the podium you need a lot of medals in every colour.

Jon Montgomery Wins Gold

Last night Jon Montgomery won gold for Canada in Men's Skeleton at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. It was the first gold medal won by a Canadian in Whistler. It was an exciting moment for all Canadians. It was a bit more exciting for me.

I have a few things in common with Jon Montgomery.

We both grew up in Russell Manitoba and we both graduated from Major Pratt School. I was in the Class of '95 he was in the Class of 97. We grew up less than a block apart. I lived on the corner of Parkview Blvd and Memorial Ave. He was almost a block north on Memorial. His mom was the real estate agent the handled all the purchases and sales of houses my family lived in when we lived in Russell. We lived in a few. His dad was a principal for many years and returned to teaching for the last few years. He taught me Grade 10 Geography and Grade 11 History. His dad and my dad were members of the Lions Club in Russell at the same time. So there were a few things in common growing up.

I never expected anyone I knew growing up to win an Olympic Gold Medal in any sport. Russell Manitoba is a small town. There were more people in my first year intro Psychology class in university than there were in the high school portion of Major Pratt. It's a rather small pool to pick from.

As I watched the coverage last night there were a few things that struck me.

I was amazed at how elated but respectful Jon was during the several interviews he gave. He complimented the other sliders and clearly explained what is so great about sport. I was overwhelmed at how much the crowds embraced a small town boy from Russell Manitoba. I was happy to see someone I grew up with succeed. I was very impressed with his dad saying, "When you start something you finish it, and tonight Jon finished it!" Those are words to live by if you ask me.

I don't know a lot about Skeleton. Really all I know is you go head first and really fast down an ice track. I do know that I am a proud Canadian and feel that pride swell every time a Canadian wins a gold medal, but last night I felt just a bit more pride since it was that goofy guy that grew up just down the street that won a gold medal. I will most likely never win an Olympic medal. I'm 33 and not good enough at any sport. I think its probably ok to live vicariously though a guy from my home town.

Congratulations Jon Montgomery on your Gold Medal.

Tiger's Words

In the middle the Olympic Winter Games Tiger Woods gave his first press conference since the incident. He spoke for quite a while. He admitted he was wrong and asked to have his family left out of what he did. He did everything you are supposed to do except tell us when he is returning to Golf.

I understand that he needs time to learn how to behave properly. I know his view of reality was distorted and he needs to realign with the rest of us. Having said that, I believe Tiger Woods has a responsibility to Professional Golf and the PGA Tour to return to playing golf as soon as possible. Everything he has originated out of playing golf. He has taken so much over the years. His fortune is based on him golfing. I understand he will benefit from going back but there are so many people relying on his star power to run the golf machine.

At the end of the day, professional sport is entertainment. People pay (directly or indirectly) to see the best in the world do what they do. It is no secret that more people watch golf when Tiger plays. Not a few more, a significant number more. Like every sport, Golf needs as many spectators as it can get. Golf needs Tiger Woods swinging clubs.

Because of everything that Tiger Woods has taken from Golf, he must give back as soon as possible. Anything else would be disrespectful.

Here We Go

We are well into the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Canada is winning medals. Canada is winning hockey games. Canada is winning curling games. It's hard not to get addicted and watch. It's hard not to get addicted and cheer.

The organizers are having a few problems but any undertaking of this size will have some of that. It appears that things are going pretty well. The people have shown up. The events are happening. It looks like the atmosphere is magical.

I like sport. I like patriotism. I like the idea of the Olympics. Coming together for a peaceful reason and competition is great. Trying to be stronger, faster, and higher is epic.

I only see things getting better from here on out. More medals will be won. More stories will be written. More moments will be made. I know I will never compete in an Olympic event. I hope some day to attend some Olympic events but until that day I am going to enjoy the games because it is impossible not to. I hope everyone else does too.

Olympic Spirit

I am rather excited for the 2010 Winter Olympics. They are about to begin. I know not everyone is a fan of the Olympics but I am.

The Olympics are something special. For 16 days the world comes together in sport. I know, that's the party line.

The Olympics remind us that there is more to sport than pro sports. It reminds us of a lot of people who train and compete in sports that we don't see on a regular basis. It reminds us of our national pride. It reminds us we can come together in peace.

So why do we need to be reminded of this stuff?

Olympic campaigning can be a very challenging and rewarding journey. It can define a person and set them up for great successes in the future.

Everyone should feel good about where they come from. Although fleeting at times, an Olympic medal can rally a nation. It can make you remember what is great about your nation. It can stimulate national pride.

I know that the Olympics are not without controversy. There are always protests and security has become a major part of the games, but how many other events is every country welcome and most show up. It is amazing just to think about it.

I know that not everyone likes the Olympics, but I do.

Superbowl XLIV Predictions

Nothing like a championship game to bring out the prognosticators. I will jump on this bandwagon and give my two cents.

Sunday night the New Orleans Saints will face the Indianapolis Colts in Miami for the biggest prize in football. The game features two exciting offences run by two great quarterbacks. There will be offence. A lot of points will be scored. Since so many points will be scored its probably coming down to which defence can make some stops. Both offences have multiple weapons. Both offences can score from anywhere on the field. Both offences make defensive coordinators quiver in their boots. The defence that can get it done a bit of the time will win the game for their team.

When I try to pick a winner I try to find something that sets one team apart. In this case it is Dwight Freeney of the Colts. If you have never watched him play, Freeney is an undersized Defensive End who plays on the right side of the defensive line. He is fast and strong. he can blow past the best left tackles in the game. He is a difference maker. He also has a torn right ankle. Reports are that his ankle is over 50% torn. A bad right ankle while playing on the right side is a bad combination. He is currently listed as questionable. If he does go I can't see him playing like he normally does and I think that is the difference maker.

I predict the Saints to win the next Superbowl. Dwight Freeney will not be giving Drew Brees fits all day long so the Saints will be able to move the ball.

Well, we will all know if I was right by bedtime on Sunday.

My Streak is Over

I curl two games a week when both my games are on. In January I played five games in total. In January I won five games in total. I was 5-0 for 2010. Today that streak came to the end. I lost my game by one point on the last shot of the game. We didn't have last rock. We forced our opponents to make a good shot to win and they did. It was a good game overall.

5-1 in 2010 is still a good record and since I curl for fun and exercise it is a real good record. In the fall of 2009 I was only on the winning end once, and tied twice. The remaining games were losses. Recreational sport is a lot more fun when you win. It is more fun when you believe you have a real shot at winning. It is more fun when you are making the team work hard and they are making you work hard.

When I curl for fun I believe that you try your best on every shot and if you don't make it, you move on to the next shot. You try your best and what happens happens.

I never expected to win every game to the end of the curling season. It is was inevitable that a loss would come my way. I believe I have a chance to win any game I'm in and that makes it a lot of fun to go and chuck large pieces of granite at people's ankles.