Cut VANOC some slack please

There have been numerous complaints made by various interest groups, minority groups, NGOs, etc. throughout the past two weeks in regards to how the Olympic organizers have not made amble effort in portraying a more authentic Canada to the world. It is their belief that Vancouver has been projecting a rather idealistic façade of Canada to the rest of the world – a Canada that seems to be harmoniously multi-cultural, socialist, polished and breathtakingly picturesque (albeit awfully drizzly for a Winter Game). They argue that the visitors and television audience should’ve been given the opportunity to see and understand the “bad” and the “ugly” of Canada along with the “good”.

If they had their way, every visitor would leave Canada with a more realistic portrait of our nation, and know that our land is far from being the Great Utopia of the North. They would know that here too, there are children who go to bed hungry, forsaken homeless addicts – one hit away from death, aboriginals that still are seen and treated by mainstream Canada like unwanted, cultural detritus, and of course that there were vast expanses of previously pristine boreal forests which have been and continue to be stripped, drained and carved out to feed the world’s insatiable appetite for oil.

Being a person that typically loves to expose all that is “bad” and “ugly” with our society, it might surprise you to know that I fully disagree with their criticisms of VANOC not doing enough to show a balanced picture of Canada. The role of VANOC is to hold a memorable and exciting world class event. Their role is akin to that of a wedding planner. Their goal is to create an ambience that enables the guests and participants to be swept up by the magic; and to immerse themselves in a rare, intoxicating and fleeting occasion, where for just a little while, adrenaline rushes, out-of-this world athletics, and global fraternity reign supreme.

If the special interest and advocacy groups feel the need to be at the Olympics to give the masses a dose of “awareness”, then good on them. That is their important role, and thankfully, they live in a free country that permits this. But its more than understandable that VANOC would prefer not to air out any of Vancouver and Canada’s dirty laundry during such a jubilant affair for their honored athletes, guests and visitors.

Go Canada Go!

Just heard the Canadian Olympic theme song - "I Believe" on CTV, and it literally sent shivers down my spine.  It's hard to not get swept up by all the excitement.  Usually, Canadians are so modest and apologetic to a fault, but it's way cool to see everyone be so unabashedly proud  of their country and athletes.

And what a juxtaposition between Beijing and Vancouver in their stances on public protest.  Beijing: Grannies got thrown in jail for protesting about having to be evicted from their homes in order to make room for Olympic venues.  Vancouver: Hundreds of protestors on the streets within a stone-throw to BC place - protesting.. no no.. raising awareness for everything from poverty to the environment to oh I don't know - that the IOC is the devil - all issues are fair game really.  I chuckled when one of the reporter asked a protester "What's up with all the balaclavas around your necks?" and  she replied, "In case the police releases tear gas, we can quickly soak these and put it around our face to protect our eyes."  How very clever and practical!  

It also sickened me when I saw the news coverage of the 21 Georgian luger, who died from his injuries upon his crash during a training run.  What a tragedy? Apparently many sliders have known for the past couple of years that this is one of the fastest and most dangerous tracks that they've built.  A number of athletes have lost control of their sleds at certain corners during practice runs.  Why weren't there any safety provisions built - couldn't there have been heavy netting and padding around the pillars to minimize the impact of an athlete's body colliding into them.  Of course all sports... heck, life in general is full of risks and danger, but this "accident" just seemed so senseless  :(  

I don't know, perhaps, it's not my place to comment.  Perhaps, the luge is a sport like bull riding, and its inherent danger is a part of the thrill that is fully embraced by its participants.    

In light of the tragedy, the Games are going full steam ahead, and uniting people everywhere for different reasons, some for sports, others for national pride, and others yet, social agendas. With so many ideologies and social-cultural-economic systems that polarizes and divides us, this rare occasion of global camaraderie is certainly a cause for celebration. 

Go Team Canada!