Lattice

For someone who watches very little television, I have been caught up in watching every evening these days. It is the Olympics, of course. I have been wondering why it is that there are no Canadians on the podium. I have no theories about this but I do have one observation. After watching many interviews of various athletes, I have noticed that many of them are just happy to be there competing in the worlds' greatest sporting event. I have to surmise that once the goal of being in the Olympics was achieved, the focus and determination required to excel is no longer there. Not winning a medal seems to be OK because just getting to Beijing was such an incredible accomplishment on its own.

And then there is the American swimmer, Phelps! His goal was not to just get to the Olympics, but it was to achieve a new world record in the amount of Gold medals by one athlete in one games. And what does this extraordinary goal result in? Not only is he on track to do it, but he is setting Olympic and World records in the process. Is Canada settling for under achievement? It almost seems that way. Let's hope that in 2010 when the Winter Olympics come not only to Canada, but to Vancouver, that we will put in a much better effort. The way the world is watching China today is the way the world will be watching Canada then.