One. For three hours on Sunday afternoon it was as if this vast nation of 33 million was confined – but deliriously so – to a patch of ice 200 feet long and 85 feet wide, with two blue lines, a red centre line and a team of 20 men wearing maple leafs on their chests. For three hours, hockey defined us, that and 14 gold medals for Canada- the most for any host nation in Winter Games history. It was golden.
With glowing hearts we basked in winning a total of 26 medals, hosting a beautiful Olympics and show casting our friendliness, freedom, diversity, peacefulness and the breathtaking beauty of Vancouver and Whistler.
Two. Medal Standings (86 total events)
Nation G S B Tot
the USA 9 15 13 37
Germany 10 13 7 30
Canada 14 7 5 26
Norway 9 8 6 23
Austria 4 6 6 16
Russia 3 5 7 15
South Korea 6 6 2 14
China 5 2 4 11
Sweden 5 2 4 11
France 2 3 6 11
Switzerland 6 0 3 9
Netherlands 4 1 3 8
Czech Rep 2 0 4 6
Poland 1 3 2 6
Italy 1 1 3 5
Japan 0 3 2 5
Finland 0 1 4 5
Australia 2 1 0 3
Belarus 1 1 1 3
Slovakia 1 1 1 3
Croatia 0 2 1 3
Slovenia 0 2 1 3
Latvia 0 2 0 2
Britain 1 0 0 1
Estonia 0 1 0 1
Kazakhstan 0 1 0 1
Three. Our hearts felt congratulations and thanks to all the hard working dedicated athletes from all countries who did their best win or lose.
Four. The Canadian news media deserves to be complemented for the excellent job it did of reporting on the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, helping to make it a truly memorable experience for all Canadians.
Five. We wish to express our deepest, heartfelt “Thank You!” to all the athletes on team Canada. With the weight of a country on their shoulders, each athlete performed to the best of their ability. Whether medals were won or not, they competed against the best in the world and have made Canada proud. They are heroes not only in their home towns but in the hearts of all Canadians. No matter what ethnic background we come from, province or village that we live in, we are finally one people.
These past 17 days have had their share of glitches, tragedies and triumphs that will remain as milestones in the memories of all who took part in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Through it all, we achieved the goal of showing our humanity and courage.
Children now have the visual memory, the written history, and the oral legends to fuel their own dreams and believe in their own accomplishments, whether in sports or any other field of their choice. ” I Believe ” will become an impetus to reach those goals.
Team Canada athletes have given the “regular folk” the ability to finally wear our red and white and shout: “Yes, I am proud to be Canadian!”
Author
valpat21@hotmail.ca