Canada acting like ugly Americans, some say...Vancouver's Olympic shine

VANCOUVER - I was floored.

Canada’s Alex Bilodeau had just won the Olympic first gold medal by a Canadian on our home turf. Naturally, Canadians were a little pumped.

I saw an American-based reporter I know as I walked through the media centre – a guy who was born and raised in Canada – and said something like, “great result, eh?”

His response almost knocked me to the ground.

“It’s disgraceful,” he said. “It’s sickening.”

What on earth are you talking about, or words to that effect, I asked.

“Those Own the Podium people are a disgrace,” he said, the blood rising in his face and his speech quickening. “They’re arrogant and they’re a disgrace.”

I asked what’s wrong with trying to win, but all I got was that Canadians are supposed to be nice and all.

“But you here go acting like bloody Americans. If that’s what you want, to beat your chests and chant ‘Canada, Canada, Canada’ like Americans chant ‘USA, USA, USA,’ be my guest. But it’s a disgrace to the country I grew up in and the country I love.”

Wow. It’s only one guy, but I was taken aback – and still am 12 hours later – by the sheer, red-hot intensity of his comments.

It’s weird. He grew up in Canada and lives in the U.S. and hates Own the Podium as if it’s some sort of sacrilegious cult. I grew up in the U.S. and have lived in Canada for nearly 30 years and think it’s just fine.

What’s wrong with trying to win? Isn’t that why we play sports?It’s nice to get personal bests. And there’s no shame in falling short of your goals. Most of us do it a thousand times a day. But deep down we all want to win.

Own the Podium is giving Canadian athletes a chance to win. But that’s not to say it’s telling them to act like jerks and stomp on opponents.

Indeed, when Bilodeau won his gold did he dump all over former Canadian Dale Begg-Smith? No. Bilodeau was lovely in his calm, measured responses to questions.

When she finished second by a nose in women’s moguls, did Jenn Heil bitch and complain? No, she was gracious despite a reporters’ unwarranted hostile tones and even went out of her way to thank course preparation workers. Great kid.

Canadian Olympic Committee chief Chris Rudge wandered past my desk in the Canadian Press office at the media centre this morning and we chatted about the issue.

“What I said the other day when we had our Own the Podium press conference was that we want to win but we want to win the way we’ve always won, with grace and humility. I don’t see what’s wrong with that.”

Neither do I. But it still made me wonder what folks down south think. I’ve read a few negative comments on Own the Podium. But I was also interested today to read what NBC TV announcer Bob Costas had to say.

"Canadians are among the friendliest, most welcoming people on earth. I don’t see anything incompatible with saying, “Welcome, but now we want to kick your butt.”

I got a comment posted on this blog earlier today from a reader with the tag Uptown. Here's what they had to say:

"I dunno, I think we're acting like ugly Canadians in a dark corner or two. Frankly, I've always thought "Own the Podium" was a poorly named, poorly phrased expression of a bad attitude, too. Sorry, but it's just... gauche. And the criticisms here and there of us fighting for stupid advantages - like using tighter-than-convention clothing for snowboarders, or the training time issue on the luge track, well, it only heightens the snark factor. The only reason I'm excited about the Games is because we're hosting them, not because I want us to "own" them. This isn't the Berlin Olympics, it's an international event we should be proudly internationalizing further. Frankly, even the fact that the media posts national medal counts seems to me to be a betrayal of the whole spirit the Games were created to foster. 'Be worthy of the podium' would have been a better ideal to have striven for."

LOST IN THE SHUFFLE

With Bilodeau winning his gold, some of the real effects of Own the Podium’s money injection into Canadian sport got lost. Up in Whistler, Jean Philippe Le Guellec finished sixth in the biathlon 10 km sprint, marking the best-ever finish by a Canadian man in biathlon.

Also in Whistler, Canadian Sam Edney came seventh in men’s luge. That’s also the best finish ever by a Canadian.

Speedskating is something we’ve been good at it for a long time. Ditto men’s moguls, thanks mostly to a strong Quebec contingent that Steve Milton of the Hamilton Spectator points out carried Canada through some pretty lean years at the Winter Games.

But moving up in men’s biathlon and men’s luge is a real sign of increased depth.

“Everyone’s punching above their weight,” the COC’s Rudge told me.

CELEBRATION

It's hard to believe some folks didn’t think quiet Vancouverites would embrace the Olympics. They’ve been, in a word, rabid. There were something like 100,000 folks out on Robson Square after Bilodeau’s win. And even several hours later there were still Canadians wrapped in red-and-white maple leaf flags wandering about downtown, hooting and hollering.

I saw a couple young Asian-Canadians dressed in Canadian gear walking down Alberni St. about 10: 30 p.m.

“Why are we singing so loud,” one of them asked the other.

“Because we’re CANADIAN!!” her friend shouted.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Here we go again; more complaints about a lack of French in the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Games.

There wasn't as much as there could've been. But let it go and don't rain on Canada's parade, folks.

French isn't spoken much out west, in case you didn't realize it. And if you've ever heard VANOC chief John Furlong mangle a simple "bonjour," you don't EVER want to have him speak French in public.

They had a well-known Quebec singer at the end of the Opening Ceremony. Apparently they tried to get Celine Dion but she couldn't make it. So maybe folks should blame her.

IOC president Jacques Rogge speak French, although he could've used more. But there was French spoken and French and English on the video screen and in the announcements on the p.a. system.

At the press conferences that VANOC holds each day, spokeswoman Renee Smith-Valade answers questions en francais whenever asked. The IOC's two languages are French and English. There's plenty of French language service available at the Games, but the natural language out here is English. So get used to it, people. And stop whining.

TRANSPORTATION

The weather they can’t control. But if there’s a specific weakness shown so far by Vancouver organizers, it’s transport.

Buses carrying Olympic athletes up to Cypress Mountain last week got stalled. Another bus carrying native Canadian chiefs and the Premier of British Columbia to the opening ceremony was delayed.

Spectators say waits have been as long as five hours to get to their destination and others have said they have missed events because of transportation problems.

“There are thousands of buses, there are hundreds of drivers. There are nine transportation hubs. It's a big beast to manage,” said Renee Smith-Valade, vice president of communications for VANOC.

“We're having some teething issues, there's no question. But we're working on them every day.”

Comments

[Uptown]

I dunno, I think we're acting like ugly Canadians in a dark corner or two.

Frankly, I've always thought "Own the Podium" was a poorly named, poorly phrased expression of a bad attitude, too. Sorry, but it's just... gauche. And the criticisms here and there of us fighting for stupid advantages - like using tighter-than-convention clothing for snowboarders, or the training time issue on the luge track, well, it only heightens the snark factor.

The only reason I'm excited about the Games is because we're hosting them, not because I want us to "own" them. This isn't the Berlin Olympics, it's an international event we should be proudly internationalizing further. Frankly, even the fact that the media posts national medal counts seems to me to be a betrayal of the whole spirit the Games were created to foster.

'Be worthy of the podium' would have been a better ideal to have striven for.

[brigitte m.]

don't listen to the complainers! Vancouver organizers of the Olympics are doing an excellent job! I am a very proud Canadian, ... born in Austria, I am cheering for Canada, it's my chosen home and I love this beautiful piece of heaven! ... then I'll cheer a little bit for Austria ..., but: GO CANADA, GO !!!

Brigitte

[RockyRacoon]

What is this about 2 weeks of truce among waring nations during Olympics? I would like to hear more about this and would like it honoured.
Cheers,
RR

[Natalie from Van]

I think the Own the Podium program has rubbed some people the wrong way because it is so different than our usual attitude (at the Olympics and every day life too)....we're not used to being confident, competitive and feisty in our language and actions around the Olympics. As long as we balance our competitiveness with a welcoming attitude towards our competitors, I don't have a problem with it. Its when you're so intent on winning that your conduct is unsportsman-like that it becomes a problem.

True, we Vancouverites can be a cynical bunch, but we're proud too. I'm not surprised that people have been so lively.

The French complaint is somewhat understandable....while the Maritimes, West, North and Prairies got their own vignettes, Quebec did not. Time constraints maybe?

[Stetler]

I hate "Own the Podium." It reeks of greed and arrogance. It's the sort of over-zealous patriotism that we used to despise when it was spouted by Americans. Now it's an embarrassment to Canadians.

[Uptown]

Yo, Byers and other apologists for "Own the Podium" - read your own Star columnist, Dave Perkins, who's latest post on the subject makes it pretty clear how pathetic the whole initiative is.

[marie]

I agree with the author...finally, our athletes are getting the financial assistance that they need to be a success in their chosen sports....my goodness, they finally have some funds to perfect their sport but also access to specialists to stay healthy! Give them a break....

I'm actually thrilled that these young people have won medals that they have worked so hard for - but what fills me with pride is the calibre of individuals - humility and graciousness....

Alexandre Bilodeau - Jennifer Heil... very gracious - on the other hand, today you had the Australian saying that he should have won the medal - an American walked out of the Richmond oval and the race .... the Frenchman who skied after Alexandre did not acknowledge Alexandre's considerate acknowledgement of him ....

I live in Montreal and I could not be prouder of these Games - Vancouver - what a magnificent city and the surroudings - the Opening Ceremonies - everything... what a super job!

I think this all started with Colbert in the US and has spread negatively throughout the world. It is unfair to Vanoc and the people of Canada - and false.

[Fixer Dave]

I've no problem with the athlete's attitude; I've no problem with funding to win. What I have a real problem with is the this arrogant, disgusting media frenzy about how "we're going to get that gold." With the first silver medal, the athlete was awesome, and obviously happy with her performance. A truly great and sportsmanlike display. The collective media, on the other had, was this grotesque display of contempt for not winning gold. "Such disappointment, next time for sure..." Made me embarrassed to be Canadian.

Then there's the coverage. Here's the Canadian winning... oh, and a quick mention of somebody else winning something or other, gold or something. I turned that off... Yeah, I'm embarrassed to be Canadian, stupid media... If it weren't for the athlete's attitudes shining through all this media garbage... well, I bet most true Canadians would just walk away.

David...

[Kristan]

I think what the reporter is saying about Canada and Canadians is sick. Obv we are very proud of the first gold medal on home soil. Who wouldn't be? If this reporter doesn't like it, then he better get back to the USA, because there is going to be alot more gold medals coming our way! GO CANADA!

[lisen]

I too love this Country and what we stand for. That, however, does NOT include chest banging and yelling, go Canada go. That kind of mentality is better left at the local soccer or hockey game. Patriotism is something you have in your heart, not in how loud you can yell!

[Don Hancock]

I don't think that VANOC has did a good enough job. There have been many issues including the death of a competitor. I hear the transportation system is a disaster, the long track ice cleaning equipment is breaking down, the opening ceremony glitch, etc. If you sign up to put on the Olympics, then "world class" is expected, not half-assed.

As for "Own the Podium", I'd like to see this be eliminated. I'm proud to be Canadian and money can't buy that or take it away.

[VermontIce]

marie,

You reap what you sow, Canada. You want to reach for the stars, you are going to get some scars. That's just how it works. For everyone, not just Canada here at the Vancouver games.

As for that American... he left because of a prolonged delay due to faulty ice cleaning equipment. He was skating the event in question only as a tune up, but with the delay, he figured the skate might do more harm than good and opted out. Case of bad sportsmanship? Not even close

[Chris Hutcheson]

"Own the podium" is just fine with me. A little assertiveness doesn't hurt.

[Ami]

Hi everyone!
I`ve been reading your comments for the last two days. Since English is not my mother tongue, I don't really understand what you mean by "own the podium"... can anyone explain, please?