Own the Podium

A lot has been made out of Vancouver's Olympic motto "Own the Podium." When I first heard the slogan a year or so back it rattled me somewhat as well. However, I am not an athlete and have never competed on a team sport, much less under the glare of a nation hungry to prove something...

What exactly? Sure, we want medals. Lots of them. I get that. But this urgency and neediness speaks to something bigger than what the Games represent. Why does Canada continue to seek confirmation as a people? Is it okay that we want to "own" a podium? Should we have said that publicly? Are we at fault? Where did we go wrong?

It bothers me. It's like a person who is forever in therapy, addicted to crisis, always wondering out loud whether they measure up. I find this navel gazing irritating. We are Canadians, of the True North strong and free! This is a fabulous country with a rich heritage. There is absolutely nothing to prove and this persistant whining and apologizing does nothing for our identity as Canadians. In fact, it takes away our power.

Years back, when I had the energy to stay up past midnight, I recall a character from Saturday Night Live. His name was Stuart Smalley. http://snltranscripts.jt.org/91/91asmalley.phtml and in many ways I liken the relationship between him and Michael Jordan to what exists at the core of many Canadian's bizarre inferiority complex. Why stay up all night wondering if you're "good enough"? Instead, why not just get down to business and get the job done. Quietly. Seriously. With focus and, most importantly, without apologizing.

As for "owning" said podium - perhaps the slogan was simply too brash for us as a nation. Consequently, at the first hint of trouble securing a medal, we as Canadians were too quick to put ourselves down. If there existed a category for self-effacement we would own that podium hands down.

In the end, our athletes made us proud, capturing an unprecendented 14 Gold, 7 Silver, and 5 Bronze. Our city welcomed the world. We got the job done.

Yes, we are a humble people, somewhat quirky, definitely humourous, welcoming, bilingual and fair-minded. We are thirty-five million men and women, 206 of whom are Olympic athletes. None of whom have anything to prove.

So, I say, stop apologizing.
Sorry, that's just my opinion.