Going Out With a Bang
What a great last couple of days for Team Canada at the Olympics. First, the men's curling team claims gold Friday by making Finland shake hands after 8 ends. Mark Nichols played arguably the greatest game in Olympic curling history. To make every shot with the degree of difficulty he faced was unbelievable. I got to appreciate it even more when I played two games last night, and didn't make as many shots in those games combined as he did Friday.
How do you feel if you're Russ Howard today? In early October he didn't think he'd ever get to play in the Olympics. Now he's on top of the world. As he said Friday, this accomplishment beats the two world championships by a mile. Congrats to everyone on the squad for a great performance.
Today we probably witnessed two of the greatest athletes Canada has ever produced in the same race. Cindy Klassen set a blistering pace to take the lead in the women's 5000m race, only to see the final pair both beat her, with Clara Hughes taking gold. Hughes got her first gold, and 5th medal, 2 of which came in Summer Olympics cycling. She's one of only 4 athletes ever to win medals in both Games. Truly a great Canadian ambassador.
Klassen now has 5 medals this year, and 6 overall, making her Canada's most decorated Olympian. Those counts speak for themselves.
The person who should not be overlooked is Kristina Groves, who finished 6th in the same race. The winner of 2 silver medals, she got a result that in past Olympics we would've been thrilled with. Now, 2 other Canadians beat it! Amazing.
The men's short-track speedskating team came through with 2 silver medals of its own in the 500m individual and 5000m relay. Needless to say, speedskating is thriving in Canada.
Of the now 24 medals Canada has won, 16 have been by women individually and as teams. My wife asked me if I knew why. I think I do. Canada's best male athletes tend to go into sports where they can make a living (ie hockey, baseball, football). Since there are less opportunities for women athletes to earn a living (unfortunately), they are more likely to go into Olympic sports. We are definitely seeing the results.
While the Olympics are drawing to a close, the curling fan can continue to see top-notch play at the Scott Tournament of Hearts. Bring it on!
Congratulations to all in Turin! Tomorrow I'll give a final good, bad and ugly review of Team Canada.
Regards,
Steve
How do you feel if you're Russ Howard today? In early October he didn't think he'd ever get to play in the Olympics. Now he's on top of the world. As he said Friday, this accomplishment beats the two world championships by a mile. Congrats to everyone on the squad for a great performance.
Today we probably witnessed two of the greatest athletes Canada has ever produced in the same race. Cindy Klassen set a blistering pace to take the lead in the women's 5000m race, only to see the final pair both beat her, with Clara Hughes taking gold. Hughes got her first gold, and 5th medal, 2 of which came in Summer Olympics cycling. She's one of only 4 athletes ever to win medals in both Games. Truly a great Canadian ambassador.
Klassen now has 5 medals this year, and 6 overall, making her Canada's most decorated Olympian. Those counts speak for themselves.
The person who should not be overlooked is Kristina Groves, who finished 6th in the same race. The winner of 2 silver medals, she got a result that in past Olympics we would've been thrilled with. Now, 2 other Canadians beat it! Amazing.
The men's short-track speedskating team came through with 2 silver medals of its own in the 500m individual and 5000m relay. Needless to say, speedskating is thriving in Canada.
Of the now 24 medals Canada has won, 16 have been by women individually and as teams. My wife asked me if I knew why. I think I do. Canada's best male athletes tend to go into sports where they can make a living (ie hockey, baseball, football). Since there are less opportunities for women athletes to earn a living (unfortunately), they are more likely to go into Olympic sports. We are definitely seeing the results.
While the Olympics are drawing to a close, the curling fan can continue to see top-notch play at the Scott Tournament of Hearts. Bring it on!
Congratulations to all in Turin! Tomorrow I'll give a final good, bad and ugly review of Team Canada.
Regards,
Steve
posted by Irrelevant at 4:35 PM
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