Olympic Superpowers That Have More Medals Than Canada...

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This is a non-issue that has nothing to do with anything except some artificial sense of national pride.

But if you think about it, national pride itself is basically artificial. What financial benefit do we derive from national pride? Nothing. Its just there to make us feel good. And for better or worse, the majority of Canadians just don't think winning at the Olympics makes them feel good enough to dish out more money to acheive it.

[Hack&Lube]

I'm hoping for a no medal finish. That's now what I am rooting for. That's an accomplishment.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I'm hoping for a no medal finish. That's now what I am rooting for. That's an accomplishment.

that might actually be good as it would hopefully embarrass the government enough to put some actual funding into the summer games, like the '88 debacle did for the winter ones

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

But if you think about it, national pride itself is basically artificial. What financial benefit do we derive from national pride? Nothing. Its just there to make us feel good. And for better or worse, the majority of Canadians just don't think winning at the Olympics makes them feel good enough to dish out more money to acheive it.

I'd hold pretty much the opposite approach: financial benefit is basically artificial until it's turned into tangible things that increase one's happiness or quality of life; a strong feeling of national pride is more tangible and real to me than a $20 million payment on the federal debt. At both a personal and national level, focusing on the singular goal of paying down debt and saving money does not improve your quality of life or make you happier. I'm not advocating fiscal irresponsibility here, but there needs to be a balance; national pride isn't artificial any more than happiness is artificial, and when I pay taxes, I want national pride along with infrastructure, health and security, as all these things play a roll in my happiness.

[FlamesAddiction]

I assume that everyone who wants more funding for the athletes has already purchased some Olympic gear from Zellers already...

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Maybe if we had a strong athletic tradition in both summer and winter sports and proper funding to follow, we could spend less on health care given that citizens would take healthy and physical lifestyles more seriously. Preventative measures are more cost-effective than funding surgeries, beds, wait times, medicine, etc. Exercise and confidence in an athletic system are a prime solution.

Not to mention that properly-funded athletic programs can keep kids from getting bored and getting involved in crimes and/or drugs. That's a whole argument in itself.

Yeah all those American gold medals from years past have done wonders at reducing the waistlines of Americans and reducing youth crime!

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

...I am not saying your are wrong with what you are saying, but you are exaggerating the quality-of-life issues in these other countries. Particularly, your comparison between Canada and the U.S. is almost absurd.

Actually, I think that because the two countries are so similar, the comparison between the US and Canada is particularly apt. If your opinion is accurate, then the quality of life in the US should be demonstrably better than it is in Canada because of their emphasis on sports and competition. Does this proposition hold true?

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Regardless, athletics are a good way to keep kids from getting involved in crime and/or drugs. They have something to work towards and something that keeps them fit, healthy, and engaged in the community, just like other young aspiring doctors, scientists, businessmen, etc...

I don't disagree with this at all, I merely think that in a country like Canada any additional emphasis or funding on summer sport is likely to have a practically imperceptible impact on our general, overall quality of life.

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

How you can say athletic programs have little impact on the well-being of kids is simply ludicrous.

Perhaps I was unclear. Basically I believe that any funding that Canadian government contributes to the Olympic movement has almost no perceivable impact on our quality of life. That is entirely different from suggesting that all athletic programmes are a waste of time.

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

You must think then, that kids playing instruments or reading books is a terrible waste of time too.

No. But I do think that whether or not Canada is among the world competitive spelling-bee leaders is not all important to the general quality of life in this country.

[octothorp]

In terms of how funding can impact medal standings, it seems one of the worst investments is hosting games... I was reading an article before these Olympics started about how host nations do not get any sort of advantage in future Olympics, despite perceived greater attention and facilities. Well, with Greece currently tied with Canada with 0 medals (but only two top eight finishes!), that's certainly playing out this year. I fully expect the same will be true of Whistler. Billions invested in hosting the games will do little for the long-term success of the athletes, compared with a much more modest ongoing investment.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by octothorp

In terms of how funding can impact medal standings, it seems one of the worst investments is hosting games... I was reading an article before these Olympics started about how host nations do not get any sort of advantage in future Olympics, despite perceived greater attention and facilities. Well, with Greece currently tied with Canada with 0 medals (but only two top eight finishes!), that's certainly playing out this year. I fully expect the same will be true of Whistler. Billions invested in hosting the games will do little for the long-term success of the athletes, compared with a much more modest ongoing investment.

You know, I distinctly remember Olympic observers and commentators drawing attention to the 1988 Olympic legacy during Canada's fantastic runs at the 1998 games in Nagano, and in the 2002 games in Salt Lake. Hell, even though there were some forgettable moments in 2006, Canada was still among the best performers in the world in Turin.

Before '88, Canada was never a speed-skating superpower, and now we are consistently one of the best in the world at this particular discipline. It's only one example, but I do believe that the tangible impact from hosting an Olympic games is probably not immediately noticeable.

[Slava]

^ I think that you're right here Textcritic. I was speaking with someone "in the know" today about the lack of facilities in general in Canada. He pointed to the US as a distinctly different situation; you look at the facilities at the high schools alone and we've probably all looked in awe at the football stadiums and baseball diamonds for their kids. The school parking lots are all full at night because the community and the kids are using the facilities.

In Canada though recreational facilities and programs are basically an afterthought; they are the first thing cut when the money gets tight or is perceived to be tight.

[sadora]

So Canada is finally going to score their first medal at these Olympics and its going to be in women's wrestling. Carol Huynh will wrestle for gold later on today. At least we know that a Canadian is guaranteed silver. Go Huynh.

[jar_e]

And on top of the medal we will win in a few hours in ladies wrestling we just won a silver in two man rowing...didn't see the names though...just saw the race at work.

[jar_e]

And Carol Huynh won the gold!

[MrMastodonFarm]

Tayna Verbeek won Bronze in womens wrestling as well.

Great day for Canada.

[getbak]

At midnight, Canada still had zero...by 3:30am, one of each. I guess people can finally come down off the ledge.

[HotHotHeat]

Albeit it, a gold in woman's wrestling.

100 meter final is at 8 30 am Calgary time.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Albeit it, a gold in woman's wrestling.

100 meter final is at 8 30 am Calgary time.

How is ANY medal embarassing?

Strange.

[flylock shox]

Yipes. Did anybody watch Bolt run the 100m men's final?

That guy could easily, easily run below 9.6 seconds. Scary.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Albeit it, a gold in woman's wrestling.

I would love to have a gold medal in wrestling.

Take the bag off your head, I certainly felt nothing but joy watching her win and cry as O'Canada was being played for the first time this Olympics.

[Devils'Advocate]

I saw Hyunh's quarterfinals match. Damn she is fast!! She very, very good at tackling down low... and once she gets an opponent by the leg, that opponent is going down. But, you know, it's only women's wrestling. Should just return the medal. Worthless.

As for Bolt, is there any more appropriately named person on the planet? With 20 meters to go in the 100, he slowed down, waved to the crowd, slapped his chest in victory, started celebrating right there on the track AND STILL broke the world record. They were saying that if he had the wind at his back, he could go faster. Well, if he didn't start celebrating with a fifth of the race left, he could go faster.... And they have that shot of people crossing the line and he's out way ahead of everyone else.

I think Vanderbeek could have won silver like she did in Athens, but had a bad draw, having to face the former and eventual gold medalist in the quarter-finals. She may well be the 2nd best in the world at her weight class, but she takes home the bronze.