Some thoughts on Canada's performance at the Winter Olympics thus far.
Going into the games, emboldened by the results in 2010 Vancouver, the COC audaciously proclaimed that it wanted to win the medal table.
Unfortunately, it isn't turning out that way. If I were a betting man, if I had to wager on the over under on whether Canada would win more than the 26 medals and 14 gold in 2010 going into the games, I'd hands down bet the under.
14 gold medals was a no-brainer - that was an all-time record.
Overall medals was more achievable but only if all things fell into place and as we've seen, they haven't. Particularly on the ice. Last Olympics Canada bagged 10 (four gold) medals in long and short track speed skating. This year a disappointing four (one gold). It didn't help our short track team has been falling all over the ice thus leaving medals on the table. Had that not happened, I think Canada had a real shot at beating 26. The country is currently at 17. Interestingly, they've been in a position to win a gold medal 13 times. That's more than any country except for Russia also at 13.
Contrast this to the Netherlands who have won a whopping 19 medals (6 gold) in speed skating! They've always been a power in speed skating but this is ridiculous - especially considering Canada has just two medals.
Let me put this in perspective. Holland has won more medals in ONE sport than entire countries have won. In fact, as I write, they lead all nations with 20 medals.
That being said, I won't be too hard on Canada this time around.
Why?
Mostly because I like the rhetoric coming out of our athletes and leaders. They want to win and say so unlike in the past when merely participating seemed to be enough. No more are our athletes proud to finish 24th. Not that it's a bad thing to finish outside a medal but my point is we shouldn't accept it so easily. This kept Canada languishing in splendid mediocrity in sports for too long in terms of medal counts.
It all changed in Vancouver. We pumped a little money into the sports program and discovered what it's like to be on top. And lo and behold we like it.
Staying on top, though, poses yet another challenge. Everyone guns for you and as we've seen, Canada is not quite ready for prime time.
Nonetheless, I think the mentality has changed for the better. I think now Canada is committing to winning putting the country on a proper track to achieve success.
Developing a winning mentality is new to Canada and sometimes there are slight setbacks which is how I choose to view Sochi.
Going into the games, emboldened by the results in 2010 Vancouver, the COC audaciously proclaimed that it wanted to win the medal table.
Unfortunately, it isn't turning out that way. If I were a betting man, if I had to wager on the over under on whether Canada would win more than the 26 medals and 14 gold in 2010 going into the games, I'd hands down bet the under.
14 gold medals was a no-brainer - that was an all-time record.
Overall medals was more achievable but only if all things fell into place and as we've seen, they haven't. Particularly on the ice. Last Olympics Canada bagged 10 (four gold) medals in long and short track speed skating. This year a disappointing four (one gold). It didn't help our short track team has been falling all over the ice thus leaving medals on the table. Had that not happened, I think Canada had a real shot at beating 26. The country is currently at 17. Interestingly, they've been in a position to win a gold medal 13 times. That's more than any country except for Russia also at 13.
Contrast this to the Netherlands who have won a whopping 19 medals (6 gold) in speed skating! They've always been a power in speed skating but this is ridiculous - especially considering Canada has just two medals.
Let me put this in perspective. Holland has won more medals in ONE sport than entire countries have won. In fact, as I write, they lead all nations with 20 medals.
That being said, I won't be too hard on Canada this time around.
Why?
Mostly because I like the rhetoric coming out of our athletes and leaders. They want to win and say so unlike in the past when merely participating seemed to be enough. No more are our athletes proud to finish 24th. Not that it's a bad thing to finish outside a medal but my point is we shouldn't accept it so easily. This kept Canada languishing in splendid mediocrity in sports for too long in terms of medal counts.
It all changed in Vancouver. We pumped a little money into the sports program and discovered what it's like to be on top. And lo and behold we like it.
Staying on top, though, poses yet another challenge. Everyone guns for you and as we've seen, Canada is not quite ready for prime time.
Nonetheless, I think the mentality has changed for the better. I think now Canada is committing to winning putting the country on a proper track to achieve success.
Developing a winning mentality is new to Canada and sometimes there are slight setbacks which is how I choose to view Sochi.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Mysterious and anonymous comments as well as those laced with cyanide and ad hominen attacks will be deleted. Thank you for your attention, chumps.