Olympic Spirit

So we Canadians aren’t overly Canadian these days.  Damn Canadians! How dare we be patriotic and want to own the podium!!  Shame on us for our biased and defiant patriotism at the Olympics, on our home turf.  How dare we dare to dream!

Yes.
In spite of a tragedy that will forever plague the 2010 Winter Olympics, we are still proud of our Games and accomplishments, thus far.  Very un-Canadian-like apparently.  Which of course has the world bitch’n up a storm calling these Games perhaps the worst Games in Winter Olympic’s history.

What?  You kidding me right?
Yes – we’ve had problems at the beginning.
You can’t control Momma Nature and her temperament.
Sorry. Just not possible.
And yes, that is a legitimate complaint… but out of our control.
What you can do is be flexible and accommodate.  And we Canadians are known for tripping over ourselves to accommodate.  Something that VANOC has been bustin’ butt to do.  And I must say, done VERY well.

The Brits media (well now, what else do you expect?) are in the forefront of the bitchn n complain’n.  Perhaps a ploy to take glory away from Canada and put the spotlight on themselves as they prepare to host the Summer Games of 2012??
Perhaps.  Feels highly likely. 
Oh and the fact that they are sore, sore loosers. 
Yes.  Must be it.
Oh – no medals yet Britain??  Poor ting. 
How about be better at your sports rather than be a BITCH about the environment you find yourselves in??!! 
Oops.  I said that out loud didn’t I?
Well, if you are going to blame Canada’s lust for glory for the death of a luger’s mistake on the course… you bet we will gnarl back at you. 
Cheap shot and completely false fabrications to hide your own misgivings.
Go eat your scones and have a cup ‘o tea… get over yourselves Britain. (Sorry my English friends, but your Olympic team are a bunch of whiney assed wimps)

The Games have not been without issues.  No Olympic Games in the history of the Games have gone off seamlessly – all have been plagued with issues at some point in time.  Like Renee Smith-Valade, VANOC’s communications chief, stated:  “It’s not whether your luggage gets lost,” she said, “but how you deal with it.”

Yes.  Grace under fire.  Something that we Canadians have proven over and over and over again.  Maybe the Brits can learn a thing or two about that from us… a lesson in humility, perhaps?  I doubt it… but remain hopeful they will.

Of course even on home turf, problems exist.  While the French populace of Canada are bitch’n about not enough French content at the Games but more specifically during the Opening Ceremonies (again… SERIOUSLY?? Calisse de tabernacle, on a assez de contenu Français au jeux Olympique, maudit merde… on peu jamais vous faire plaisir, eh Québec??) and anti-Olympic protesters run to the media about being ‘watched’ and questioned – comparing Canada’s tactics to upkeep security for all Olympians and officials to those of China.  Simply put: when you publish images of Olympic mascots with Molotov cocktails, the Olympic torch “Spirit Train” being pushed off its tracks, and a beheading accompanied by the slogan “Elementary to the art of war, cut off the head and the body will die” is enough to give serious concern and therefore, attempts at vetting Olympic critics and protesters is welcomed and necessary. 

Olympic Hockey Fever Capturing a Nation & Billboards Throughout Vancouver

But the beauty of the Games has been the unification of all Canadians… towards one common goal:  to encourage, to cheer, to fight for Olympic glory and gold.  But we do it with grace.  I love watching how Canadians are still clapping on our competitors, urging them on, cheering for them – AND acknowledge their accomplishments, even as we may fail.  And yes, we do blow the roof off any building when Canada is up.  What do you expect?  This is exciting.  We want it.  Badly.

You can see it and feel it more so than ever now that Hockey has started.  Men’s hockey that is.  Holy molly.  The energy is insane in Vancouver.  Our players are here.  Ready to fight.  Ready to beat Russia.  To take home gold and glory.  This is OUR game.  But it won’t be without a fight.  We know it.  And sadly, sorry US, but you don’t factor into this.  I know you want to… but ya don’t.  We are keeping an eye on you, don’t worry… but it will be a Canada-Russia blow-out of epic proportions.  And I can’t wait!!!  Like I said over at Buck’s place… not sure if my heart can handle the suspense… Crosby has something to prove to Ovechken.  We have a strong team.  No more playing nice.  We are pissy now… gnarly… and we want it.  We are kind of getting tired of being pissed on… being made a mockery of by the world.

So the air is electrifying.  So far, so good.  It’s a bit bumpy but hey… this is Canada.  This land will make you or break you.  You choose.  It will show you your weaknesses.  And funny enough, we can see who the weak are… loud and clear.

 GO CANADA! GO!!!