Olympic Hangover: We Need More...

Luck!

Grrrr.

As I watched Lisa Laflamme interview Mark Tewksbury I was left with a sudden urge to punch someone in the calf. Aside from Laflamme insanely proclaiming "Bronze is Canada's new gold," the interview was just plain lame.

I couldn't accept what Tewskbury was selling. Notably that, in response to Laflamme's question about what we need to get better results, we need "more luck." It was long on "feel their energy" and short on specifics on what this country needs to do to improve.

Or cow bell. I can't remember.

Combined with Laflamme's spinning, it was too much to digest. I changed the channel and moved on from London. I'm not into sugar coating things. Bottom line is Canada won ONE gold medal and that ain't cutting it.

Every country can claim to needing more luck. Duh. It's a silly thing to say. The Americans had over 20 athletes finish in 4th.

Right, right. "At least we're not American! We prefer to put our money in health care!"

Nor is it my job to feel empathy for an athlete who feels happy with 43rd spot. What was pitiful was watching a few of our athletes break down and cry in front of the camera apologizing for poor performances. That was tough to swallow.

I don't blame the athlete. No way. They try the best they can with little resources (although, from what I understand there was more money in London) in a nation that simply doesn't demand excellence - except when it comes to hockey. Then everyone loses their fricken minds.

The COC has to become more realistic with the number of athletes it sends relative to what they think they can win. Otherwise, as someone put it, "I'm not interested in seeing my tax dollars go to pay for what amounts to a holiday. If we don't want to commit to winning then stay home."

There's nothing wrong in aiming high. Sport is a competitive contest. It's about winning. Yes, it's about sportsmanship, fairness, and all that but in the end an athlete wants to WIN. Or else, why would they want to be there? Life isn't fair and there isn't a whole we can do about that but glossing over this performance doesn't help anyone let alone the athletes who deserve better. They, after all, represent our nation.

Yes, it's hard to win but in Canada the problem is we accept mediocrity too easily. Notice the first page on the CBC comments pages. I'm betting these are the casual fans. Sanity is restored on the 2nd page.