Hey, I’m not a lumberjack, or a Furtrader, I don’t live in an igloo, or eat blubber or own a dogsled. And I don’t know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I’m certain they’re really, really nice. I have a prime minister… not a president, I speak English and French, not American and I pronounce it About, not A-boot.
I can proudly sew my country’s flag on my backpack, I believe in peacekeeping, not policing, diversity not assimilation,and that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal. A toque is a hat, a chesterfield is a couch, and it IS pronounced Zed, not Zee… ZED!!
Canada is the 2nd largest land mass, the 1st nation of hockey, and the best part of North America….my name is Walks and I AM CANADIAN!!!
Sidney Crosby Celebrates His Golden Goal
Canadian Patriotism Shines Through
It was a perfect end to an absolutely stunning Winter Olympics. After spending the better part of 8 hours watching the final day of the games I couldn’t help but have a huge smile on my face and become even prouder (if that was possible) to be a Canadian. Here we were as a nation so anxiously awaiting the gold medal game in Men’s hockey Sunday morning knowing full well that even despite all the success we had with the ample amount of gold medals we won it still wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t capture the one medal that meant most to us as a nation.
Now I know there are lots of people who don’t watch hockey religiously like most of the people I tend to be involved with but even if you weren’t a hockey fan you became one Sunday afternoon and watched as an extremely proud nation became that much prouder in what will be a game all of us won’t ever forget. In fact it was almost fitting to see Sidney Crosby score the game winner, it truly put a spectacular finishing touch on what turned out to be some of the best Olympics I’ve ever had the privilege to witness…the only crime was not being in Vancouver for any moment of it, something I will undoubtedly regret the rest of my life. If there is one thing I will do however it will be to attend one whether it be in Sochi or somewhere else in the world.
Inspirational
There is something to be said when it comes to the Olympic games. I often find myself sitting and watching as a world embraces sport and forgets about all the bad things happening in the world for two weeks and think to myself why on earth can’t we use this as an example as to how as a civilization we should be. It’s amazing how something so simple can bring people together from different countries, race, and religion to become one and respect one another regardless. It seems silly to say but even as Canadians we will go back to our stubborn ways, you can almost bet that come the next Flames/Canucks game a fight could break out, people won’t respect one another, and yet bitter political enemies involved in the Olympics can get along just fine over the course of two weeks.
Hockey Opponents Embrace
I suppose that’s what the winter games are made of. I’m sure there are literally hundreds of inspirational stories. Look no further then the two recipients of the 2010 Terry Fox Award.
Joannie Rochette touched a nation when the 24-year-old Ile Dupas, Que. native skated to bronze in the ladies’ event just four days after the sudden passing of her mother. Theresa Rochette, 55, died of a heart attack shortly after arriving in Vancouver to watch her daughter compete in the Games. With the weight of a country and Olympic community behind her, the six-time national champion became the first Canadian female figure skater to reach the podium since Elizabeth Manley claimed silver at the 1988 Calgary Games.
Petra Majdic crashed during training for the cross-country individual sprint classic, falling off the course and into rocks, suffering a collapsed lung and four broken ribs. Determined to compete in the final and unaware to the extent of her injuries, the 30-year-old skier fought through unbearable pain to win bronze, her country’s first medal of the Games.
Whether you’re male or female both women are an inspiration to all of us and have provided us with unforgettable performance.
The Canadian Experience
I suppose one shouldn’t forget how we showed the world what it feels like to be Canadian. There was something about this Olympic Games that was in one word “refreshing”. If there was one general mood that could act as a theme for these Olympic Games, it was that little bit of humour and self-deprecation. The closing ceremonies Sunday night ended up a fantastic finish to showcase our culture, compassion, and of course our utter goofiness. It’s as almost if we are that country that is there to lighten the mood at the party, something we had no problem doing as the games officially came to a close.
Beware of Canada\’s Giant Inflatable Beavers
The final performances we’re what we as Canadians are all about it. Despite the embarrassment of the opening ceremonies and the tragedy that opened the games there was something you saw in the streets, and something expressed in the closing ceremony that helped showcase the world what we do better then any other nation. There were outsized displays of nationalism, which is to be expected, given the setting, but more than that was the evidence that this is a country now more willing to laugh at itself. We not only let Stephen Colbert call us syrup-suckers, we revelled in it.
It was only fitting Sunday night when Vanoc CEO John Furlong said in his speech: “Now you know us, eh?”
That little “eh” was the keystone to an evening of fun, even if it was at our own expense. William Shatner’s comment that “I’m proud of the fact that we Canadians can have four beers and still pronounce ‘the Strait of Juan de Fuca’ without being censored;” Catherine O’Hara’s moment on Canadian politeness fell a touch flat but kept with the current theme of being Canadian, then there was Michael J. Fox’s moment. (who was spectacular when he helped open the mens hockey with one of those epic opening montages). Wearing a toque when it comes to a bad hair day or wearing a maple leaf regardless of having lived in the States the past 30 years, he could have got a standing ovation just standing there.
Then of course there was Michael Buble and his Broadway production. It was one of the most ridiculous yet wonderfully entertaining performances that I will remember the rest of my life. It was almost as if I had the thought I was watching a new moment in Canada’s image of itself. Dancing Mounties, the giant wooden Mounties being wheeled out, dancing maple leaf broadjournos, and the jigging coureurs des bois in their canoes. Yet as most of this was going on I couldnt help think we we’re missing two important pieces to this puzzle. Just as I thought that of course income the giant beavers and moose. Yet best of all was the giant hockey table game, which was pure genius and a Canadian inside joke that caused a pang in the heart of every Canadian kid of a certain age (notice the gold medals on the hockey players?), it was brilliant, all of it. The joke on us, by us.
The only thing missing was some form of Maple Syrup.
The closing ceremonies we’re exactly what they were supposed to be…fun!
Which is exactly what, for the most part, these 2010 Winter Olympics Games were all about.
Be proud Vancouver and more importantly Canada, you made this goofy kid one happy Canadian!
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