Take It On Faith - Matt Mays
The costliest games in Olympic history are over. Sochi, Russia in 2014 spent 51 billion dollars to host the world. Before the games began there was controversy that continued throughout the duration of the games. I had some serious reservations and concerns about the venue of the Olympics as the date to light the flame approached. There were negative news reports coming out about facilities not being completed or ready or in the case of accommodations, not up to the standard expected. In hindsight, perhaps all world class events work to the very last moment to ensure a perfect stage for the scrutiny of the media glare. Throughout the games, there seemed to be one common thread in all the comments of athletes, and that was praise of the accommodations and facilities. I am more accustomed to hearing praises of the countryside and its people. 
Then there was the whole political anxiety side of things. Vladamir Putin's stance on LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) rights put a lot of people on edge. Would there be a feeling of tolerance or a sense of discrimination. Here in Canada, many major cities opted to fly the rainbow flag in support of the LGBT community during the Olympics. In a country tolerant of the differences it was a move that was applauded and encouraged. Well, save for our biggest city, Toronto. Mayor Rob Ford, (keeping his name in the controversial spotlight) argued with City Council that it should not fly. A fight he lost. In the end, tolerance won at least on the public front even in Russia - where there were no reports of discriminatory behaviour (at least that I heard). Pussy Riot demonstration excepted.
There were credible threats of violence and attacks from terrorist groups. But security was tightened and on high alert. Indeed, one report I saw during the games revealed the many channels and hoops that had to be navigated in order to enter the Olympic Park as a spectator. And that was a Russian citizen. I felt compassion for someone trying to share the experience that as a citizen they dearly paid for. Yet, incomes prohibited the purchase of tickets for events despite there was much talk about empty stands at some venues.
It wasn't until I heard about the dogs that I really got annoyed however. And I made my feelings know in a facebook status questioning which moron thought Russia would be a good place to hold the Olympics. It seems that unbeknownst to many until shortly before Opening Day, Russia had a long-standing problem with stray dogs. Many cities have populations of feral cats lurking in alleyways, but the dogs in Russia apparently can be aggressive and while it didn't matter much that the citizens could be bitten when walking down the street, the idea that tourists might become the next feast was not tolerable. Poisoned bait was set out to take care of some of the more elusive ones that eluded capture either by cage or crosshairs. More that 300 canines were rounded up and killed monthly leading up to the games. I'm a dog lover but I don't know if I would open my home to a dog that was literally an ankle biter. Although did exactly that - including athletes. There was at least one makeshift shelter built to house some of the last dogs lurking in the shadows before the world's spotlight shone on the streets of the Motherland. But I don't believe it is in the political agenda to continue to pay to house these animals. Are they then released to wander again when the flame goes out? With the Olympic stage being located in Korea next, maybe the dogs will be sent there - where they are not a pest but a delicacy. :(
So with all this tension and controversy before the games even started, I thought it might be wise to just avoid the entire production. That didn't happen. In part, because I learned that most of the television I watch is aired on the CBC which was the national broadcaster for all things Olympic. So for many days there was to be nothing PVR-ing for my viewing pleasure. I don't think of it as a national pride decision to watch the CBC, more that the content and quality of programming I chose to view is more likely to be found on the CBC than on Oprah's channel.
Truth is, controversy and potential television withdrawal aside, the news of the first Canadian Gold medal had me/us all beaming with pride. And I got sucked in to my fair share of viewing time. The winter sports are where we excel. #wearewinter. Personally I have experience in participating in many of them so I have an understanding. For me that helps. I was a kid skiing on the slopes, watching my brother compete in slalom, my classmates inaugurated the world class ski jumping facility where I spent my weekends skiing. Skating was never my thing, because I was so bad at it, but I had lessons and I understand the term shoot the duck and can identify it when I see it during figure skating competition.
Who am I kidding...play it or not, we are a hockey nation. Windsor Nova Scotia has claimed the title of the first place to ever hold a hockey game. The first reference is found in 1836 writing of the Irish game of Hurley being played on the ice instead of field in Windsor. Hockey was born. And shortly thereafter the nations obsession with it. My own childhood consisted of my grandfather who had a recliner just to make his Saturday night more comfortable as he raged against the Toronto Maple Leafs fisticuffs over his beloved Montreal Canadiens.
Any chance that we can prove that we are the best hockey players unites the nation more any other single event. People recall where they were when Paul Henderson scored the game winning goal during the Summit series in 1972 with seconds to go before the end of the game. It was a national event and defining moment for the country. It made many of us hockey fans - if only "moments" fans. And that is Olympic hockey fans! The jerseys come out once every four years.
A nation of tolerance, we came to embrace women's hockey as much as the mens'. Well, nearly as much. I am glad to see the women playing the sport without feminising it. There is nothing wrong with ringette, but it is considered the female version of hockey. The Olympic women play hockey the same as the men - but without so many of the hard hits. And they play with the same passion to win. Salt Lake City Olympics (2002) brought womens' hockey in my radar when news broke that the USA team put the Canadian flag on the floor of the dressing room for the players to walk on. After winning the Gold, captain Hayley Wickenheiser offered that the Canadian team would sign that same flag. It turns out that the story was false and used to incite some passion into the players. It worked! But as they were leading up to that point it may not have been necessary. They had previously won Gold in Turin, Italy (2006), Gold in Vancouver, Canada (2010) and now Gold in Sochi, Russia (2014). They are a good team and a healthy rivalry continues to exist (without rumours) against the USA. GO GIRLS! 
Someone has to win. And in order for someone to win, someone has to lose. And as the Gold Maple Leaf flag fluttered in the breeze, ugliness reared it's head and dampened the spirit. Trending on twitter was #f***Canada. Real mature. Not! :( Granted it was a heart-breaking loss for the Americans. The USA team was leading by a two goal margin and the game was tied in the last few minutes just as the smell of victory was in the air. The win came for Canada in overtime. Without a doubt, two well-matched teams and the winning could have gone either way. I felt bad seeing the dejected looks on the faces of the team as silver medals were hung upon their necks. I don't think the loss would have looked any different on the Canadian ladies. But I do hope that we wouldn't have stooped to American bashing. Poking fun at a long standing rivalry is quite different. And for the record if you want to throw out your maple syrup and cut down your maple trees only means that you lose again. Carry on.
But nothing is quite like the Men's Olympic hockey. A game played in the afternoon in Russia would be seen here in the early morning hours. An 8 hour time difference meant long lunches or Friday afternoon off when Canada and the USA faced off in semi-final puck whacking. Canada had been playing okay but the cocky attitude from the reporters leading up to the game against Latvia was really quite unbecoming and frankly un-Canadian. If Latvia had advanced to that point, they deserved to be taken seriously and given the credit for playing well that they rightfully earned. Canada won that game but it sure wasn't a landslide victory. It was a well-played game in both ends. Following the narrow escape from elimination, there was tension going into the game against the Americans. For these two teams it was the Gold medal game. And it is that way because we realize (or we should at least) that we are talking about two evenly matched teams. The win could go either way. This time it went ours and twitter universe sparked up once again with the profane hashtag. The funny thing is that many of the players on the Canadian team play for American NHL teams and vice versa. Once every four years they play against each other - this hate is beyond rivalry. And I mean the public not the players.
Celebrate (We All Play for Canada)
Canadian Tire TV Commercial 2014
The game this country had been waiting for was a reality. The Gold medal game would be played against Sweden on Sunday morning at 8 am (AST). The sport that brings people together as armchair/barstool cheerleaders threw its' governing leaders into a frenzy trying to determine if bars would be allowed to open at 5 am and serve liquor. Ah the breakfast beer...know it well :) Ah yes, beer dispensing establishments coast to coast were allowed to open and accommodate the eager fans if not pour them a cold one. It was a beautiful weekend here on the Atlantic coast, nearing double digit temperatures and clear blue skies. Saturday morning, people were walking the streets enjoying the weather and driving about doing errands. Sunday morning? Ghost town. Not a creature was stirring, even the pets were forced to wait for their morning elimination round.
Good morning Canada! Let us pray eh-men!
Canadian facebook was all a-buzz as we waited for the face off. The entire country had woken up and were glued to a tv set in pajamas or in the local watering hole. It wasn't a shoe-in victory but it was sweet. And it was tense. I swear you could hear the breath escape from thousands of Canucks that held their breath until Sid "The Kid" Crosby scored that second (insurance) goal. It was a thing of beauty. An unassisted breakaway goal always amazes me. So fast and precise. But we had seen our own ladies come back from a two goal deficit so we sat on the edge of our seats hopeful but not assured until the last minute when play did not allow the goalie to leave the ice to add an extra attacker for the Swedes. Victory came and Gold was going to Canada again. The second in a row after Gold on home turf in Vancouver 2010. In the history of hockey in the Olympics, Canada started off on a winning streak but suffered a 20 year drought in the 1970's - 1990's. Back in the bars, the crowds started whooping and yelling in the streets across the nation blocking streets and diverting traffic. Transit in the downtown core of Toronto was a mess. The joy was contagious and infectious. You would swear we played and won that medal ourselves and not the professionals in another country wearing our flag on their chest.
With this kind of hype, it would be difficult to return to a national team that didn't include professional players on the amateur stage of the Olympics. But at the risk of public scorn - followed by a characteristic Canadian apology - I personally would like to the see the playing field during the Olympics more equal with other countries that don't send players making millions of dollars playing the game. Much like the World Juniors Hockey tournament that has the ability to showcase up and coming talent. Of course not including players from the NHL would also mean that players from the KHL and other professional organisations would also not be included. I suppose the almighty dollar will ultimately have the final say. The Olympics are big business and the hockey games are a big draw and contributor to that income. I disagreed with professional basketball players at the Olympics and this is no different for me. Sorry Canada and the world.
Meanwhile, despite misgivings and trepidation, terrorist attacks against choices and nations didn't happen. The games were a success. I may not want to live in Russia but I understand it as a country a little bit more. And that is worth something. Canada as a team did everyone here back on home soil proud. The ladies curlers who never lost a game, the male curlers who also found gold. The skiers and the skaters and the sledders. The ones who got a medal and the ones who didn't. I hope you were as proud to wear the Canadian colours as I was seeing them on you.
GO CANADA!
Credit where credit is due:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-sp-sochi-dog-rescue-20140224,0,501363.story#axzz2uG62KJQx
http://www.birthplaceofhockey.com/
http://www.1972summitseries.com/index2.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2002/ice_hockey/news/2002/02/25/flag_dispute_ap/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Olympic_medalists_in_ice_hockey
No comments:
Post a Comment