View Single Post
Old 02-26-2010, 09:28 AM   #11
nieuwy-89
First Line Centre
 
nieuwy-89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Iggy-ville
Exp:
Default

Huge generalization here, so don't flame me too much...

The Canadian women appear to be more focussed and determined. The female athletes have to work harder to get where they are, and then continue that hard work to stay on top. They have to overcome gender stereotypes and in many cases defy the expectations of family and friends to make sacrifices for their sport. It makes them more disciplined. I'm an engineer and you also see this with females in engineering - they make great engineers because they have to work harder to overcome those obstacles.

The men seem aloof and cocky. I think being an elite male athlete in North America opens a lot of doors for these guys and gives them a sense of entitlement. Of course this doesn't apply in every case. Bilodeau, for example, seemed very focussed coming into his event and really wanted to win that first gold for Canada. But in general, high performing male athletes are pandered to, and don't need as much discipline and dedication as the ladies do.
nieuwy-89 is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to nieuwy-89 For This Useful Post: