IOC not happy with Canadian women's ice hockey gold celebration

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

We've evolved from those days where smoking was socially acceptable into a society that treats smoking tobacco as the revolting act that it is.

In your opinion, sure.

Gotta say, when I celebrate anything truly wonderful I light up a stogie.

I find it odd to compare a celebratory cigar to a cigarette habit. To each their own.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Flacker

Why can't Russian men play better hockey? Apparently they suck too! Malkin, Ovie, Kovalchuk, and they can only muster up two goals in an elimination game. They shouldn't send a men's team next olympics. They couldn't make a cohesive play all game!

I can make stupid arguments too!

What does that moronic drivel have to do with anything?

[octothorp]

I think the Canadian public has a very strange relationship with the Canadian women's hockey team. We aren't comfortable with being the vastly dominant nation in a sport. We like to be the underdog, and we like our underdog athletes. The closest that Canada has ever felt to the women's team was when they persevered through bias referees and a hostile crowd in the Salt Lake game. When they dominate weak teams here, we want them to ignore the fact that they've just scored an Olympic goal on home ice, and instead want them to be humble.

Personally, I like don't mind seeing the photos of the girls basking on the ice; the women's gold will not go down as the greatest moment of the games for Canadians (Bilodeau, Rochette, Hughes, and Montgomery are all greater moments, to say nothing of those yet to come), but for these women, it's the greatest moment not just of their Olympics but of their lives. They were in a position where the accolades would be small if they won, and the blame would be huge if they lost. For years, we've been pounding into our athletes that the greatest thing any Canadian could ever achieve is to win Olympic gold on home-soil. And these women have done it.

I don't like the way that the women celebrated, but I also think it's a natural byproduct of the situation that they were put in, and I can allow them this lapse in judgement. I hear pundits like Jungle Jim talking about their responsibility as role-models. Creating good role-models is the responsibility of society, and sometimes that means turning the camera off, to allow someone the time to act like a real person. Don't overlook real transgressions, of course, but no true Canadian would consider a beer, in public, after an Olympic hockey gold to be a real transgression.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

if the americans had done this, there would have been a national outcry.

Absolutely. I was thinking this as well. I bet if the States had won, and waking up today we all saw pics of the U.S. team with beers, stogies and champagne on the ice, on OUR ice, we'd be upset over it and there'd be a thread on here about arrogant Americans or something.

I don't really care, actually I think those pics are potential avy candidates. But I can understand why the IOC is a little put out. haha imagine if they had spilt beer and cigar tobacco all over the ice? Should prob keep that stuff in the dressing room..

[Gerry]

Originally Posted by Peanut

But it is relevant because they were dominant because it was a new sport to the Olympics. Just like women's hockey is a new sport to the Olympics now.

So the point is that by having women's hockey in the Olympics, it brings more attention to the sport and other countries will start developing women's hockey programs, etc. etc. leading to a more balanced competition over time. Just like we see now with men's hockey.

If we were having the discussion at the time that Canadian men were dominant, then it would be relevant. We are having it now, after that fact. Just because something was done incorrectly in the past does not mean that we should do the same today.

Your argument that it promotes the sport is valid, but your conclusion that this makes it worthwhile to include in the Games is debatable, IMO.

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

What does that moronic drivel have to do with anything?

You tell me, you started it.

Why can't women play better hockey?

I'll ask a better question. What makes you an authority on what makes hockey good?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by ricosuave

"I love it when a plan comes together."

The only thing wrong with this picture is that she's drinking a Coors Light.

[Flacker]

Women's hockey is entertaining to many that watch, including the THOUSANDS of young women that play the game in this country. Our women's olympic hockey team are role models to many.

Your dismissal of their skill and efforts are highly insulting and borderline sexist.


Yes Vlad, this is directed at you.

[HPLovecraft]

Those Yahoo photos are hilarious. Hilariously overboard. Good God, lol. You'd think they actually played in a tough tournament.

[HPLovecraft]

Originally Posted by Flacker

Women's hockey is entertaining to many that watch, including the THOUSANDS of young women that play the game in this country. Our women's olympic hockey team are role models to many.

Your dismissal of their skill and efforts are highly insulting and borderline sexist.


Yes Vlad, this is directed at you.

Why is it sexist? The game does suck. Whether it's a men's tournament or a women's, it's still crap. Some people just enjoy pulling the gender card out.

And if they're role models to thousands of young girls you don't have a problem with them smoking cigars and feeding each other alcohol while in uniform in full view of everyone at the rink?

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Flamesguy_SJ

I can certainly see why they celebrated the way they did...winning Gold at home in front of a home crowd in a Canadian rink? I know I would want to celebrate on the ice.

And for those of you saying they think it's arrogant...isn't that exactly what people are saying we should see more of from Canadians athletes? I think it's good to see Olympic athletes who carry themselves with a bit of swagger and arrogance and who think they are the best in the world...because guess what? They are.

Absolutely not. I want to see backbone and mental toughness, not fear, I want to see firece determination, I want to see a drive to succeed right to the very end of their event. To me, that was personified by Joannie Rochette.

Becoming a winner does not have to involve arrogance. I associate arrogance with ###### bag......as in Kesler, as in Begg-Smith.....

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

Those Yahoo photos are hilarious. Hilariously overboard. Good God, lol. You'd think they actually played in a tough tournament.

Ya, winning gold is for suckers.

[HPLovecraft]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Ya, winning gold is for suckers.

Replace that team with a team of 15 year old boys and they win gold in that tournament too.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by Flacker

Your dismissal of their skill and efforts are highly insulting and borderline sexist.

I don't see how that is sexist at all. He said that he doesn't see any reason why women's hockey isn't more skilled than it is and that's fair comment. You may disagree. I don't believe there is cause to make a mountain out of an ant hill.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

And if they're role models to thousands of young girls you don't have a problem with them smoking cigars and feeding each other alcohol while in uniform in full view of everyone at the rink?

I do but I actually have kids so my view obviously differs from posters that don't. Some posters already said that's acceptable for their kids as you can't lock them up lol.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Flacker

You tell me, you started it.

Why can't women play better hockey?

I'll ask a better question. What makes you an authority on what makes hockey good?

How did I start it? I asked a question - being women or men does not affect skill at a sport - it just affects speed/strength. Women skiers, lugers, bobsleighers, figure skaters, snowboarders, whathaveyou seem to be just as good at their sport as their male counterparts, if a bit slower/weaker - I couldn't tell you the difference between the men and women in those sport without seeing the body parts. So, I am genuinely wondering why women's hockey is just so lacking in team play, "skill" - these ladies play full-time, together for years, so why is there no "hockey sense"? Is it is the coaching?

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

Why is it sexist? The game does suck. Whether it's a men's tournament or a women's, it's still crap. Some people just enjoy pulling the gender card out.

And if they're role models to thousands of young girls you don't have a problem with them smoking cigars and feeding each other alcohol while in uniform in full view of everyone at the rink?

I think it is a good message that you should celebrate and feel good when you win and achieve the goal you set for yourself.

If they were all drinking and chain-smoking at every opportunity then the 'role model' argument might fly.

[Flacker]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

Why is it sexist? The game does suck. Whether it's a men's tournament or a women's, it's still crap. Some people just enjoy pulling the gender card out.

And if they're role models to thousands of young girls you don't have a problem with them smoking cigars and feeding each other alcohol while in uniform in full view of everyone at the rink?

The game sucks in your opinion, don't watch if you don't enjoy it. It doesn't mean that there is no merit in the event.

As role models I do have issues with the cigars and I suspect none of these girls are regular smokers, but really having a beer after winning a gold medal is an issue?

Serious mountain out of a mole hill action here!

[JayP]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

Replace that team with a team of 15 year old boys and they win gold in that tournament too.

Put all of our men in women's events and they probably win almost all the time too while you're at it.

[flames_fan_down_under]

What a non-issue.

As for those ripping on women's hockey, here's a little quote from Bobby Clarke talking about Hayley Wickenheiser:

"A lot of it is about leadership, her role as the best player on the Canadian team," Clarke said. "She wants to know what is good leadership, how the game is played with different styles. She wants to know what you do in certain situations.

"There's no question she's a better hockey player than a lot of NHLers," he added. "Unfortunately, she doesn't have the strength the men do. But the instincts, the feel for the game, all those things, she has that. When you sit down and talk with Hayley, you're talking at a very high level."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1454267/