Olympic Games

Canadians have complained with the lack of medals, despite 28 Canadian personal bests in performances. I am tired of couch potatoes critical of our Olympic results. It boils down to money, training, facilities, and taxpayers. The loathsome criticism and cynical comments by non-athletes in blogs and in reader's comments boil my blood. Since when did 'man-in-the-street' interviews become news? The internet and news outlets have given civilians a place to rant and vent with ignorance and abuse. We are basing news on personal opinions, not the reporting of information and events. Uninformed negative comments become increasingly vitriolic and sometimes racist in tone. I am embarrassed to read them.

We need to get all this in perspective. Do we want our young people being professional athletes, and do we pay them to train? Or do we teach them to be hard-working, dedicated human beings. A medal is a fine goal, but there are many who face war, poverty, and fail to get their basic human needs met. At some point you must change your dream and find a bigger purpose in life.

I think the athletes should be no older than age 25. That would prevent some countries from simply producing professionals for the purpose of the Olympics. Universities are great places to train athletes. Once you graduate you ought to be on your own and earning a living. Many families sacrifice all their lives for the Olympic Dream.

If we limited athletes to those under age 26, we include many young people who will benefit from the life lessons of being an elite athlete. The work done can be studied for health purposes, i.e. Participaction. With very many obese children we must direct our energy to helping more members of society.

The Olympic dream has been tarnished by those who make a living in a sport. They take time out from professional baseball, basketball or tennis, for example, to try win a medal. I think it inappropriate to reward an athlete with the promise of a car if they improve their times. As a teacher I loathed parents who rewarded 'A's with money or gifts.

The Olympic Dream is tarnished by people like Canadian fencer Sherraine Shalm, who cannot deal with losing, or the American gymnast, Alicia Sacramone, who bravely fought tears with a TV camera thrust in her face. These people provide perhaps the best lesson of these games for most of the many athletes who participate and the young people who watch them. We learn more by losing than winning. The arrogant screams of people, like American swimmer Phelps, rattle my brains. Athletes, like Kyle Shewfelt who overcome injuries and pain to compete again worry me as a parent. Are there lifelong injuries that will haunt them later?

There is much work to do in this world. Great for those who can spend their time on taxpayer's dollars being athletes, but it is a selfish way to live your life. There are several athletes participating in their 4th Olympics, for example, who could be making a contribution to society rather than pursuing double-digit finishes.

We provide funding for artists, who give something in return. This, I believe, to be a different story.