How long 'till Own the Podium organizers call it an 'outright success'?

[bcb]

At last count, Canada had 9 medals, the Americans had 24 and there were 4 other teams in between.

I've read repeatedly, that Canadians should not panic because we'll do better in the second half of the Games, but unless the Americans pull a boycott, I don't see us Owning the Podium.

So, assuming we don't win the most medal at this games, I see two possible responses from OTP organizers:

1.) "Own the Podium was a resounding success because it encouraged all Canadians to back their athletes in their quest for glory. When we said 'Own the Podium", 'we didn't actually mean get the most medals', rather we envisioned all Canadians empowering themselves to be the best athletes they can be. PS, even if we did plan to own the podium, we didn't mean THIS year. It's was going to be in 2014. We'll be tops then, believe it! Keep the funding coming!!!!"

2.) "We failed to Own the Podium, misalocated resources and owe taxpayers an apology."
In other words, when will the excuses start?

[VANFLAMESFAN]

USA has been nothing short of amazing these games. Canada can only do so much and we should all be very proud of our athletes if Canada can finish second in the overall standings and I believe they will.

[bcb]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

USA has been nothing short of amazing these games. Canada can only do so much and we should all be very proud of our athletes if Canada can finish second in the overall standings and I believe they will.

Assuming the Germans collapse.

[pepper24]

Top 3 I am happy. Sports Illustrated had us projected to be 2nd place behind the Germans I believe. They had the Americans in 3rd.

[Flames in 07]

maybe the worst 2 days of canadian olympic performances this weekend that i can ever remember. The games are still fun to watch, but there has been a healthy dose of choking vs expectations and past performances since friday night.

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

USA has been nothing short of amazing these games. Canada can only do so much and we should all be very proud of our athletes if Canada can finish second in the overall standings and I believe they will.

Jeeze, you're hittin' the kool-aid. The Canadians have shown to be choke-jobs left, right and centre. It's been incredibly frustrating and to say I'm proud would be a vast over statement.

[bcb]

Originally Posted by pepper24

Top 3 I am happy. Sports Illustrated had us projected to be 2nd place behind the Germans I believe. They had the Americans in 3rd.

Our attitude of accepting 'top three' will prevent us from ever becoming a powerhouse.

You can be sure the Koreans and Chinese aren't happy with 'top three'.

[Thor]

Depends for me, growing up at the 88 games, watching that to seeing how we did in Turin if we beat Turin in results I'll be happy all things considering.

[octothorp]

If the program had set a goal of fifth, would it be any more of a success? I don't have a problem with them setting ambitious goals, and they developed a team of athletes in such a way that on paper, it should compete with the americans and germans. Is the fault with the people writing the cheques, or the people cashing them? Unfortunately, the OTP program doesn't have the option of trading a mentally weak speedskater for a couple chinese gymnasts; if the athletes are underperforming, the only option is to replace them from within or help them perform better.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by bcb

Our attitude of accepting 'top three' will prevent us from ever becoming a powerhouse.

You can be sure the Koreans and Chinese aren't happy with 'top three'.

In overall results, yes for Koreans, no for Chinese. China has 1 billion people and big funding for summer and winter olympics.

Korea focuses only on a few sports.

Not sure why that comparison.

[bcb]

Originally Posted by Thor

In overall results, yes for Koreans, no for Chinese. China has 1 billion people and big funding for summer and winter olympics.

Korea focuses only on a few sports.

Not sure why that comparison.

It's all about the mentality

[bcb]

Originally Posted by octothorp

If the program had set a goal of fifth, would it be any more of a success? I don't have a problem with them setting ambitious goals, and they developed a team of athletes in such a way that on paper, it should compete with the americans and germans. Is the fault with the people writing the cheques, or the people cashing them? Unfortunately, the OTP program doesn't have the option of trading a mentally weak speedskater for a couple chinese gymnasts; if the athletes are underperforming, the only option is to replace them from within or help them perform better.

If we had set a goal for fifth, then yes, it would have been a success. Organizers gave a huge increase in taxpayer money to get the most overall medals. Anything short of that is simply failing to meet the goal.

[LockedOut]

A good measuring stick for this Olympics would be the Turin Olympics. Canada had 24 medals in that games for 3rd overall and only 1 medal behind the US. Add home advantage to that and seeing where we are now we are way off where we should be.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by bcb

It's all about the mentality

So every single athlete in the Canadian team is of the same mental fortitude, and obviously the fact they all come from different backgrounds, different people involved in their training, your big light bulb moment is they all have mentality problems.

Probably why the US lost to Germany in overall medal totals in Salt lake, and by gold totals 3rd. They were not mentally tough in their home country.

[Ace Handy]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Jeeze, you're hittin' the kool-aid. The Canadians have shown to be choke-jobs left, right and centre. It's been incredibly frustrating and to say I'm proud would be a vast over statement.

Does anyone else find it hilarious that people are calling out Olympic athletes for choking on an internet forum?

"If it weren't for my chronic asthma and bifocals I'd have like six gold medals by now."

Calling it "Own the Podium" was a mistake. We came across as cocky and are being put in our place.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Jeeze, you're hittin' the kool-aid. The Canadians have shown to be choke-jobs left, right and centre. It's been incredibly frustrating and to say I'm proud would be a vast over statement.

Did you read my post?? I said IF they finish in second, we should be proud of all the athletes. Yes, it's been disappointing so far, but there's still an entire week left.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by bcb

It's all about the mentality

What mentality? Dumping all of your funding and focus into a select few sports and forgetting about anything else? That's what Korea does.

This board is hilarious, all the choke artist cracks from a bunch of guys who probably can't even piss in a crowded bathroom due to stage fright.

[bcb]

Originally Posted by valo403

What mentality? Dumping all of your funding and focus into a select few sports and forgetting about anything else? That's what Korea does.

This board is hilarious, all the choke artist cracks from a bunch of guys who probably can't even piss in a crowded bathroom due to stage fright.

Look, just because I hold it till I get home, does not make me a loser

That being said, It's not like these athletes do anything much else besides train for large competitions.

Here's the thing. In any Olympics, we can expect a few chokes and a few pleasant surprises.

This Games, the Chokes are leading the Surprises by about 15-1

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by LockedOut

A good measuring stick for this Olympics would be the Turin Olympics. Canada had 24 medals in that games for 3rd overall and only 1 medal behind the US. Add home advantage to that and seeing where we are now we are way off where we should be.

Not sure how much of an advantage that really is...

[FanIn80]

As far as I'm concerned... As long as we win gold in men's hockey, we could finish last in every single event and still win the Olympics.