WHY CANADA NEEDED A PLACE IN THE GOLDEN SPOTLIGHT AT THE OLYMPICS
Canada is a country with a huge insecurity complex on the world stage. Canada lives in the large shadow of the United States and it is like a bookish little brother (Canada) compared to a talented and outgoing jock older brother (United States).
Sometimes that nerdish little brother needs to step up to the big stage. It happened at the 2010 Winter Olympics for Canada.
Canada took a record 14 gold medals at the Olympics and became the big dog on the block for the first time.
Let’s face it, the gold medal is the real standard of measurement in any competition. With all due respect to silver and bronze, gold means that you are the best- the winner of the competition.
Everybody else is a bridesmaid, and a highly envious bridesmaid to boot.
The record-breaking gold came in men’s hockey, a sport that borders on a cult-like religion in Canada. It was an overtime 3-2 victory over the United States for the Canadians and gave a dramatic victory to the boys from north of the 49th parallel.
The result was a gigantic ego boost for a country better known for quiet polite people. That image will be dispelled for awhile as Canadians bask in the rare glow of global success in a huge athletic event.
Canada has hosted two previous Olympics (1 summer, 1 winter) and won zero gold medals for their efforts. It was an embarrassment to the country and a giant blow to its self-image on a big global stage. That changed dramatically in Vancouver.
Much of Canada is locked in ice and snow during the long winter months. The Winter Olympics would seem to be a natural fit for the country. But Olympic success did not come easily to the Canadian athletes in winter sports until the past decade.
So maybe Canada might have to shield its eyes from the unusual glare of the global spotlight for awhile, but it definitely beats life in the shadows for Canadians.
