Remember a couple weeks ago when I posted about my country's tasteless "Own the Podium Campaign"?
Well, the international community is starting to catch on. Simon Barnes writes in the British Times:
"Their highly unpleasant Own the Poduim program, in which they seek to exploit home advantage to the last nanosecond, has alienated the world they are supposed to play host to. Home athletes have always had the advantage: getting ugly about it is neither necessary nor appropriate."
Martin Samuel of the Daily Mail writes:
"Canada wanted to Own the Podium at the Vancouver Olympic Games...they can put their Maple Leaf stamp on something more instantly tangible: the nondescript little box carrying the lifeless body of Nodar Kumaritashvili back to his home in Bakuriani, Georgia. 'Made in Canada," it should say. Made by the perversion of the Olympic movement for national gain; made by a culture of worthless aggrandizement and pride."
Lawrence Donegan of the Guardian writes that Kumaritashvili's death is "another blow against Canada's reputation as the kindest, gentlest member of the Olympic community."
In a nut shell, many journalists are blaming Kumaritashvili's death on Canada's refusing to give visiting countries the time they deserve on the practice runs.
A little harsh? Maybe. But what do we expect when we go around touting our arrogant BS to the world? Not even the Americans have behaved in such an egotistical manner. To me, the whole thing seems downright fascist, and makes me embarrassed to be Canadian.
The Olympics should be about cultures coming together - not nationalism!
No comments:
Post a Comment