Let Them Eat Our Wake

Here’s a perspective on this home advantage kerfuffle from a guy who’s been there -- Paul Henderson, the former Olympic sailor and longtime international sailing pooh-bah.

Henderson wrote in an email this morning …

To All:

I am so proud that Vancouver 2010 is giving our athletes, within the rules, a "Home Court Advantage".

I want to throw up when I here the "Holier than Thou" crying coming out of the U Sof A.

Let me explain:

Each sport has a pre-Olympics Trial to test the site and organization. In 1975 Sailing had such a trial in Kingston for the 1976 Montreal Games. We gave each country 3 entries.

I got a call from the manager of the USA Sailing Team who asked for the USA to have 6 entries in each event. I naively said "Sure, No problem." Canada and the USA were allowed 6 entries each.

In 1983 L.A. had their test event the year before their 1984 Olympics and they limited the entries to 2 per nation. The manager of the USA Sailing Team was the same manager as in 1976. I asked that they reciprocate giving Canada 4 entries double as we had done.

His answer was: "We are out for winning Gold for the USA not Canada!" and hung up. Canada was only allowed 2 entries in each event but the USA allowed over 10 in each event for their "Home Court Advantage" Canadian sailor won 3 medals in L.A.

Go Canada Go! Home

Home Court Advantage is our right!!

regards,

Paul Henderson

A Canadian Olympian

Comments

[Phil]

Damn right! Way to go Paul. Tell it exactly like it is.

The Yankees and Euros have been doing this for years. Screw them.

Great job Randy on the blog.

[M. v. Lemon]

Absolutely right Paul,

Canadians have been a push over far too long hoping that people will think we are nice. This is all fine and good but in a major competition like the olympics there is too much at stake for our athletes. If we can set a few records here at home imagine the interest levels that will rise in sports that dont otherwise much get too much publicity. Funding will then go up and we will constantly be improving our chances in future olympics. Its a cycle and this is a major opportunity Canadian Athletes both present and future.