Comments on: I Was There!

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:49:13 +0000

I was led to believe that any host nation can restrict access to practicing on the facilities that they own, and this happens every single olympics.

Why shouldn’t Canada have a ‘home field advantage’? Everyone else does it.

By: Greg

Greg — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:38:40 +0000

How many times do you think Canadian athletes will get to practice at the venues for the 2014 Games in Sochi? Compare that with the number of times athletes from Russia and other European countries get to use them.

I am not saying it is a ‘stance’ – simply logistics.

The cost to send our athletes and support staff to Russia for training will be a LOT higher than an equivalent camp held here in Canada.

The same applies for the other countries training here over the last few (global crisis) years.

By: Tootie

Tootie — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:52:40 +0000

Isn’t there a difference from an Athlete using the actual course / slope etc etc that they will be competing on in the Olympics than training on any old slope/course. wouldn’t you rather 300 practices than 30!!!

By: Greg

Greg — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:16:31 +0000

‘stance’

Please let me know more details. I am under the impression, that using the Sliding Center as an example, other nations were given the time slots to use a facility, but it would come at a cost. That’s fair imo, as we can’t fund the costs of operating these facilities for the last 3-4 years 24/7 all by ourselves.

Hypothetical – If a amateur Canadian athlete finds it easier to spend more time on the Callaghan Valley cross country tracks than say a Polish one (say because of personal travel costs) – is that unsporting?

I may be wrong here, but I don’t think there was some kind of conspiracy to restrict athletes from other countries training at the future Olympic venues.

Or is there something else?

By: Tootie

Tootie — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:18:47 +0000

I agree with Mike on the following
“I think “Own the Podium” means building passion and excitement for healthy active lifestyles for all Canadians. Get out there and do something and have fun!!!”
However i think the Canadian stance of not letting other Nations not have the same level of practice on certain Olympic Courses was very unsporting!!!

By: Kyle

Kyle — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:28:13 +0000

Well said Greg. It’s not just the media though – a look at my facebook newsfeed the other day showed lots of people jumping off the bandwagon…though miraculously they all seem to be back on board after tonight’s hockey game and all the medals today…

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:19:49 +0000

Hey Greg, I feel your rant.

I think “Own the Podium” means building passion and excitement for healthy active lifestyles for all Canadians. Get out there and do something and have fun!!!

We have a 2020 vision here in Whistler, and part of that means continuing to support our young athletes long after the games are done and the medals are counted. We may not have the most in the end but we should all be proud of our hosting the world. I hope the world comes back again soon.

mike.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:18:23 +0000

Solid post there Greg – I agree!

It sucks that the Candian Olympic dude came out and said that we just arent’ going to “own the podium” though. To me it meant something differnet than flat out winning.

Oh well – still fun to watch these athletes compete! Wish I was there!