When most Canadians think about going to the 2010 Winter Games, they would imagine watching the Men’s Hockey team winning the gold medal. A poll was recently conducted asking Canadians what the most memorable winter Olympic moment was, and the Men’s hockey team winning gold in Salt Lake City was #1.
Speaking with friends about our trip, the excitement generated after we say that we are going to a Men’s Hockey game is incredible. I have even been told that seeing Team Canada play is the most patriotic thing a Canadian can do.
While I agree that hockey is a very large part of Canadian culture, the many athletes who compete at a world class level in the many other winter sports are usually overshadowed because of this. Now is the time, every four years that these other athletes that have trained and pushed themselves to their limits to become the best in the world can get the recognition they deserve.
The 2010 Winter Games is the chance for these athletes who don’t get big salaries or big promotions to get the recognition they deserve.
Looking at it through the media’s eye you will always see hockey commercials on T.V., whether it is a Winter Games year or not. Hockey is just such a big deal in Canada that Canadian heroes such as Wayne Gretzky can always capture our nation’s heart (he did light the Olympic Caldron in Vancouver for a reason!).
However, now that the 2010 Winter Games have come around, we are seeing downhill skiing, bobsled and curling commercials, just to name a few. It is this acknowledgement that makes the Games so important to athletes of all types because no matter what sport they are a part of, they know their country is watching and cheering.
With the Games taking place in Canada, the Olympic effect is having a much bigger influence this time around. The athletes know that their entire nation is backing them as they go for gold on home soil. And quite simply put, that’s great to see!
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