Well, the Vancouver Olympics are over and what a ride it has been. After watching Sid the Kid and Team Canada beat the USA in overtime to win the gold medal in men’s hockey, I was wondering what could ever top that. I have to say that Vancouver really outdid itself. Even crusty old Bob McCown from the Fan 590 in Toronto said he was blown away by the Olympic experience. I know one thing: I am going on eBay this week to buy a pair of pants worn by the Norwegian men’s curling team. Now, on to this week’s questions.
Name: Mike
Comment:
Jim: What is your take on the success/lack of success of our Canadian Olympic team? Are we overachieving/underachieving, or doing exactly what could be expected?
Answer:
Hi Mike. After all was said and done, I think Canadians can be very proud of what our athletes accomplished in Vancouver. After Canada beat the USA in the gold medal hockey game, the nation set a record for the most gold medals won at the Winter Olympics with 14. That is a remarkable achievement when you consider that Canada didn’t win a single gold medal at the 1988 winter games in Calgary. It’s all about the Gold Medals at the Olympics and Canada has set the new standard for future Winter Olympics.
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Name: Andy
Comment:
First off I wanted to give props Jamie Campbell in calling Alexandre Bilodeau’s gold medal run. He really captured the moment and emotions of all Canadians.
Secondly, this is more of a comment than a question. At no point should Melissa Hollingsworth feel that she should have to apologize to the country for finishing 5th in the women’s skeleton run. The pressure that she must have been feeling was probably immense. Maybe that is partly our own fault for declaring that Canada would “Own the Podium” and win these Olympic Games. As a proud Canadian, it does not matter to me how many gold medals we bring home, all I ask is that the athletes give it their all for their country as Melissa no doubt gave. Whether that effort puts someone in 1st place or 5th place makes little difference to me. Canadians aren’t defined by something as simple as a place on a podium – we are more than that.
Answer:
Hi Andy, thanks for you question. I bet if you asked most athletes, they would not have come up with the “Own the Podium” program. Most amateur athletes I have met or interviewed are more interested in proper funding for their training. To win a medal at the Olympics, takes years of training and dedication. It also takes a near fanatical single minded focus on their particular sport. I can only dream that some day I will have the heart and character of someone like Melissa Hollingsworth. You’re right Andy; in no way whatsoever should Melissa ever feel the need to apologize to Canada for not winning a medal. I also love the fact that Hollingsworth would never accept a “personal best” over a medal any day.
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Name: Chris
Comment:
Sup Clubber. Is it just me or are there a lot more attractive female Olympians these days?
Answer:
What up Chris? No, it’s not just you; the Vancouver Olympics were stocked with a bevy of hotties and cougars. It makes me proud as a Canadian to think the majority of the best looking hotties and cougars come from our very own country. In fact, ESPN’s Bill Simmons decided to refer to Alberta’s Cheryl Bernard as a “Curglar”. I still can’t believe Bernard choked the way she did in the gold medal match against Sweden. Oh well, at least Kevin Martin and the lads won the gold on the mens side.
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Name: Brent
Comment:
Hey Jim, big fan, keep up the good work. In your opinion, what Canadian team has the best chance of winning the Cup this year? All the best!
Answer:
Hi Brent, thanks for the kind words. With all due respect to the Flames, the two teams in Canada that have the best shot at winning the Cup this year are the Sens and the Canucks. While I think the Canucks are the better team, playing in the Western Conference means they will have a much tougher road to even get to the Cup final. On top of that, the Canucks don’t even have another home game until the 13th. The Senators went from a five game losing streak to a phenomenal stretch where they won 14 of their next 16 games. Both are good teams and both are the third seeds in their respective conference. But after all is said and done, the Canucks have Roberto Luongo. And for that reason, I feel they have the best chance of any of the six Canadian teams in the NHL to win the Stanley Cup. I am noting saying they will win the Cup, but I am saying they have the best chance of the six.
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Name: Erik
Comment:
Your comment on personal best is ridiculous. How can you expect more than the best an athlete has ever done? You could write your best article and it would still be crap, but I would still pat you on the back and say ‘good try little guy’. :)
Answer:
Hi Erik. You have the right to your opinion and I accept any and all criticism. My point was that there are some Canadians who want to explain away a weak performance with the “personal best” line like that is supposed to make all of us feel better. I just wish more Canadian athletes had the same attitude of Clara Hughes. If you watched her Bronze medal performance in the 5,000 metres you would know what I am talking about. Hughes skated her guts out. It was about Clara Hughes skating like her life depended on it and ended her brilliant career with her head held high. It was the attitude of athletes like Hughes that led to Canada setting the new standard for winning Gold medals in a Winter Olympics.
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Name: Mike D.
Comment:
Hey Jim, I have to admit, I only read your blog from time to time, but I always find it insightful. I’m not sure if you are a big UFC fan, I know there are a few people at Rogers who can’t stand it. However, I have a small question that I can’t find the answer to… Why is it that when fighters enter the octagon, they pour water on the mat and then wipe their feet in it?
It might have something to do with traction, but it seems to me that it would make your feet more slippery. Do you know the reason? Or can you find out for me??
Answer:
Hi Mike, oh, I have an answer alright. In fact I consulted none other than Mister Showdown Joe Ferraro himself; the host of “MMA Connected” on Rogers Sportsnet.
Here’s what Joe said:
There a few reasons:
1. Many canvas mats are slippery when sweaty but not slippery with water. With water you get grip with your footwork.
2. A few fighters dislike the feel of canvas on their soles so by wetting their feet, then sweating afterwards, they bypass that mental and physical sensation.
I hope that helps. By the way, UFC 111 featuring GSP versus Dan Hardy takes place March 27th at the beautiful Prudential Center in scenic Newark, New Jersey.
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Name: Dan
Comment:
Hey Jim! See the Blind Side or Invictus yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Since you’re comfortable (or manly?) enough sharing your more feminine side, I’d love to know your top 10 sports movies of all time…and come one, you must have cried at one of them!! I’m thinking Rudy or Brian’s Song.
Answer:
Hi Dan. Alright, you got me on this one. The previous reader asked me if I have ever cried watching a sporting event. He didn’t mention anything about a sports movie. This week it’s really all about the Olympics, so I will list my top 10 sports movies next week. But I will admit I did cry the first time I saw Rudy. The part that got me is when Rudy runs out of the tunnel at Notre Dame and his Dad (played by Ned Beatty) says “that’s my son!” It gets me every time.
There are so many great memories and images from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. I don’t think I will forget the look of utter despair and deep pain etched on the face of Zach Parise as he was awarded his silver medal. That’s the look of a man who the thought of a “personal best” just isn’t good enough.
I also have to tip my hat to all my brothers and sisters at Sportsnet who did such a magnificent job covering the games. I know for a fact that during his prep work, RJ Broadhead would routinely wake up on weekends at 5am so he could watch a world cup cross country skiing event from Europe. That’s why he sounded so freaking good calling his event. Keep the questions rolling in and make sure to tune into Sportsnet Wednesday for the mother of all trade deadline shows.