I am up to my armpits in the Olympic Games – totally immersed in what ever is being televised at any given moment. I root for everyone, regardless of where they are from, but I cheer the loudest for the kids sporting the maple leaf. Those are my kids, the Canadian contingent, and I am proud of them in a fashion only an armchair athlete living above the 49th can be.
Our Canadian contingent is doing us proud, they are rocking the games. They are swooshing, gliding and sliding, leaping, sweeping and riding – they are, each and every one of them, bringing their A game to the games. And so is everyone else; every competitor, every coach, every fan. The Winter Olympics is the only show in town right now.
This is the world on its best behavior – I think that’s why I love the games so much. The Olympics brings together and celebrates our sameness. Every one of the competitors, every coach, every parent, knows exactly how much effort has been put into getting to the top of any sport. The competition is steep, the focus is intense regardless of the event.
There are flags from 92 countries blowing in the South Korean breeze. There are 102 gold medal events, each as precise and intricate as the other. There are countless fans around the world cheering in different languages, sitting on the edges of their seats and witnessing close to three thousand world class athletes as they fiercely compete, and get along with each other as they do.
I think the world at large should consider taking a page out of the olympic handbook. The page on respect and camaraderie. We should all learn to be as respectful and supportive of each other as those olympic adversaries. Those opponents who leave it all on the mat; who pick themselves up, dust themselves off and congratulate the winner while setting their sites on their next challenge.
I am proud of each and every competitor, impressed with their dedication, wowed by their talent. We are witnessing not just the cream of the sporting crop but being inspired by sportsmanship itself. Go kids go!