Own the Podium - Investment in Passion

Canada's, Own the Podium, the plan to provide $110 million of support to our best prospective winter Olympians, should be seen as a long term investment in our Canadian talent.

I disagree with the many observers who believe success can only be measured by the number of medals Canada wins. The true investment is in 'passion'. It is passion that drives us through life.

Some opponents see this as an unfair advantage. It actually levels the playing field, bringing Canada closer to what countries like ore friends the United States have done for decades investing in their athletes.

It never surprises me of the level of criticism by some Canadians and foreigners. They complain when Canada doesn't do enough. They complain when Canada does to much. We either see this an investment in the future or we can return to those days of athletes holding down jobs to support their athletic passions. I don't know about you, it is really great to hear our national anthem.

I didn’t even know what I was going to write when I started this letter. What I realized is that our lives are shaped by what inspires us, not only personally, but socially, and assists us insetting standards that bring value-added which enriches this human experience. By supporting passion in our youth, they will go on to inspire others and become the leaders, shapers and movers of the future.

I wonder how many of us have actually reflected on our lives and figure out why we are passionate about certain aspects. As a simple question: What drives you? I hope it is more than complaining, and whining as they don't give medals for that.

Penalty for El Nino??

Why not give the penalty to the IOC for authorizing a Winter Olympics in a coastal rainforest climate during an El Nino year??

Great stuff Tyee

Much appreciate the reporting and commentary, Tyee. Hilarious. Loved the commentary on Fralic, the free-loading insider. Touche.

Say, Irish-Will

Of course it is great to be inspired and passionate about some things but not all things, the olympics included! The Olympics are run by a private for-profit organization that relies on billions of tax dollars to operate the way they do. No one is suggesting that there should be no olympics but to compel all taxpayers to spend billions when 30,000 kids die needlessly each day is reprehensible. This planet will continue to be the host planet for countless wars and never ending poverty if we continue to support those who don't need support while ignoring those who's needs are beyond desperate.
Societies cannot be successful if compassion, empathy and altruism are replaced with the new SUV, the house that is too big and things like the olympics!!

Olympic Loser: banned for life!

I guess we got what we paid for in CTV's low ball bid to telecast the games vs CBC (the people's choice0: unprofessional conduct, unsportsmanlike conduct and boring conduct...CTV commentators laughing at a country's lone Olympian as he came into the stadium; commentators making derogatory remarks about the Czech skating pair's attire;and passing off boring sound bites as background research of events and athletes. I may as well turn off the sound for all the good it's doing me. CTV BANNED from all future Olympic coverage.

You don't still believe, do you?

Regarding the chain link fence around the Olympic Cauldron.....

I hope it stands.

Is there a more powerful symbol of the REAL state of things in
BELIEVEBC?

It gives their game away brilliantly.

The ruthless arrogance of their ways.

THEY who love to deceive through relentless conniving PR, can't even see what it tells the world about themselves....the inhumanity and sheer ugliness of their arrogance.

Inside the fence - a special few and their special media are allowed to leisurely linger for photos - while those apparently "less special" ( though deemed special enough when it comes to paying the bill for this circus) are coldly refused access.

Sorry, folks, no admittance.

Just a view from afar. A viewing platform the Grinch would be proud of .....out of the kindness of our small, small hearts.

hmmmmmmm......

Just like their run-of-river projects prevent public access to our rivers.

Just like FOI has fence... after fence....after fence that we, the lowly public must jump in order to gain what is our human right to access.

Just like sacred pipelines now limit public access to wilderness and intrude on our private right of property.

And on and on .....

In 2010 -

This is a province now "well-secured" by fences.

They tell us it's for "security reasons".

Whose security? (wink, wink)

Nah, let the chain link anti-democratic monstrosity stand.

THEY have unwittingly exposed what they have tried so hard and for so long.... and so slyly to disguise about themselves.

There isn't a better or more revealing signal to the world - and no matter what the language, it is a message the whole world gets.

I agree with Tricia and what do we believe anyway?

Definitely, ban CTV from future Olumpics. I miss Peter Mansbridge. He has class and intelligence. The CTV newshounds have neither and their commentary is pointless.
The other thing: "I believe". So? An equally pointless slogan for the Olumpics.
MSN refers to the poor soul from Georgia as "killed athlete". I suppose we should be grateful they did not say "deaded".
I did like Shane Koyczan though. Shows talent trumps skinny. What was Nelly doing in that dress? Shouldn't it have been censored?

I think you missed the part about what you were to believe.

You were suppose to believe in the great King Gordo!

Unbridled capitalism dressed up as Olympic spirit

Quote:

There was just something about the unbridled capitalism dressed up as Olympic spirit in the invitation, combined with the offer of graft, that had one reporter saying, "I felt like I needed to take a shower after reading it."

End of quote.

That sums up my own feelings about these games. I don't want to see the Province of British Columbia made a laughing stock with the world watching ...

but the crass, heartless absurdity of it is almost beyond endurance. And perhaps if the world looks in on Vancouver and laughs ... the truth of the human spirit will be revealed.

I BELIEVE that 4 pipes do not a cauldron make.
I BELIEVE that 4 belching smoke-stacks are not "green"
I BELIEVE that pushing young athletes farther, higher, faster is essentially exploitative nature.

About TV coverage:

I hardly watch the Olympics, but would not mind to see the occasional event.

I find it frustrating that the various stations will tell you that such and such is coming on later, but unless it comes on their network they will not give away any details.

Hence a lot of channel clicking, endless commercials to find out where and when.

The guide that I get from my provider is next to useless, and events are postponed as well.

The result is that I eventually turn to some re-run instead.

De Niro Auditions for Role of G. Campbell in movie "Fiasco"

"You blaming me? You blaming me? You blaming me? Then, who in the hell are you blaming? You blaming me?
I'm the only one here. Who the fug do you think you're blaming?"

Irish-Will

I agree wholeheartedly!
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2010/02/18/SchoolClosures/

yep! turn off the sound for

yep! turn off the sound for CT. Commentators are too much like Fox hounds.