No political vamping, spending or campaigning could ever buy the patriotism, pride and feelings of exuberance the Canadian athletes at the 2010 Olympics have captured.
From coast to coast, the Olympics — and more specifically, the performances of Canadian athletes — captured the hopes, dreams and pride of most Canadians for the past two weeks. An election campaign, no matter how heated, could match it. No election could ever reach these heights. And there is not enough money in the coffers of any political party to rival it.
So talk of cutting funding for our Olympic athletes comes at a surprising time. Yes, we all agree the Own the Podium program did not live up to its expectations. But once we let that go, most Canadians were pleased with the accomplishments of the Canadian athletes.
The medal performances swelled our chests while ear-to-ear grins and podium-hopping excitement filled us with a sense of pride and accomplishment. And the stories of what many of these athletes have gone through to get to the Games brought the odd tear or two.
Let’s see any politician do the same.
Yes, times are tough financially. And yes, the government certainly does need to rein in spending. But at this time, cuts to Olympic funding might not be the wisest course.
Many athletes used post-medal interviews to let Canadians know the Own the Podium program made a huge difference to them personally, allowing for additional training at world calibre venues.
Whether it was an orchestrated movement to get Canadians onside with the program or a genuine outpouring of appreciation for the funding, athletes made it very clear Canada rose in the medal standings because money was spent on their training.
Can we afford to give it up now?
