Great topic on USA taking over Canada in the olympics
http://sports.espn.go.com/olympics/winter/2010/columns/story?columnist=…
Its a pretty amusing article how these olympics were supposed to be about Canada and how were taking over the olympics not just by winning but winning with fashion.
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:18 PM ^
The U.S. team has done very well. Canada had high expectations, but wasn't able to meet them.
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^
Canada wanted to win badly since they were hosting, I think they hyped themselves a lot and since they are not 'winning' it feels worse for them. Canada has a great team, but they haven't lived up to the hype so I think there is some feeling of a let down.
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:34 PM ^
Is it true that the Canadians did not allow international athletes to practice with the Canadian athletes?
If so, how STUPID were they?! What a competitive disadvantage, not allowing your athletes to compete against the best worldwide in practice.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^
Aksel Lund Svindal trains almost exclusively with the Canadian Team. He's doing pretty well too...
Reality is especially in the Alpine Skiing events the athletes have been very nervous about performing their best, especially since 5 of the top Canadian skiers blew out there knees leading up to the Olympics exceeding the physical limitations of their bodies. Its a massive disappointment in Canada for sure. That being said with so many similarities the biggest difference between the US and Canada, is Canada routinely under-perform at the olympics, while Americans out-perform.
February 24th, 2010 at 12:50 PM ^
The biggest difference between the US and Canada is that the USA has 307,000,000 people to choose from when picking an olympic team and Canada has 33,000,000.
I think you will generally find (and I stress generally) that when a country has TEN TIMES the number of people than another country, they will be able to find better athletes (as a general rule).
February 24th, 2010 at 9:22 PM ^
plus one to you.
Six gold on home soil with hockey and curling to come looks good.
February 25th, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^
Did you consider the number of people who actually play the winter sports?
Do more people curl in the US or Canada? Hockey is getting closer, but it is Canada's national sport, with more players than the US.
Huge swaths of the US do not play the winter sports in the Olympics, and those sports are so far down on the popularity scale that Canada actually is choosing from more people.
How many speed skaters do you know in the US? How about cross country skiiers?
Even a sport like hockey, the US is at a disadvantage. While the numbers of kids playing hockey in the US has climbed, it is nowhere near the profile and numbers that it is in Canada. Thats why US hockey teams, especially historically, were comprised of guys from Minnesota and Massacheusettes.
In fact there was a time when the winter sports teams accross the board were from very limited geography in the US. That has changed a little over the years, but hockey and skiing are probably the most popular participation sports in the winter games from a US perspective and those are still done by a very small percentage of the country and, even more importantly, are very low in terms of national popularity.
The NHL is definitely a red headed step child on the pro sports landscape in the US. People like skiing in the US, but it is no where near the a popular spectator sport.
Curling? How many in the US even know what it is. I grew up in Minnesota and to this day, I have never curled, and other than thinking that Canadian woman curler is hot, I could tell you nothing of the sport. Not the same in Canada.
If you simply look at population as a baseline, India should really be racking up the podium time. Last I heard, their one participant did not win a medal.
February 26th, 2010 at 9:42 AM ^
Those are some of the weakest arguements I have ever heard. There are like 30,000 more registered hockey players in Canada than the USA. Plus, the fact that geographically large portions of the USA don't take part in winter sports doesn't mean that there aren't still many more people playing them than in Canada sine there is TEN TIMES as many people in the USA.
Go look at some facts before you start picking silly fights. When you look at the comination of population and resources, there is no country on the planet that should be able to compete with the USA in either olympics.
February 26th, 2010 at 4:58 PM ^
I don't think you can dismiss that argument entirely. Cultural factors play an important role in a country's ability to compete in the Olympics. I mean, look at Norway. That country, with a population of 4.5 million, is a Winter Olympic juggernaut. Everyone there plays winter sports, and that's where all their resources and attention are focused.
Winter sports aren't a huge deal in most of the U.S. Even in areas that have cold enough winter weather, the best athletes rarely are steered towards them. (In Alaska, for instance, the most popular participation sport is basketball.) Hockey is strictly a niche sport in this country (with the exception of a few northern states), and most of the rest are completely off most peoples' radars. Our country may have a lot of resources, but they aren't unlimited, and at the grassroots level they are generally directed toward the most popular sports (football, baseball, basketball, maybe soccer and track).
IF Americans followed winter sports to the degree that Scandinavians or Canadians did, then yes, the U.S. would be an unstoppable machine. As it is, with only pockets of the country interested in them, the U.S. is competitive but not necessarily dominant.
February 24th, 2010 at 9:20 PM ^
Jesus guy, half of your speedskating team *reside* in Calgary.
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:49 PM ^
The thing is, Canada really hasn't done that poorly (aside from the one hockey game). This is about as many medals as they've ever won (and obviously a lot better than they did in '76 and '88). Their Olympic organizers just went crazy with the "own the podium" stuff beforehand, and raised expectations to unrealistic levels.
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:58 PM ^
Being Canadian, I can tell you they shoved that stuff down our throats. I'm all for hyping up our athletes, but some of it was unrealistic.
Some athletes, who had never been contenders before, were being raised to an unreasonable expectation.
Personally, I am quite pleased with the results of our athletes. Quite a number have elevated themselves to higher levels.
Kudos to the U.S. - an excellent result so far.
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:49 PM ^
Shouldn't Americans be acting like we don't care about the medal count, thus making Canadians look even sillier?
Besides, every Canuck around me is now rooting ever so hard for Germany.
I hate it when winning is all about your enemy loosing.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^
You are so right. I am cheering for Gernamy? WTF? You are an idiot. It is like saying when Michigan lost to Penn State that you are going to cheer for Illinois to beat Michigan. That my friend is a fair weather fan, hence, an idiot.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:20 PM ^
While I agree with your point, when calling others idiots, be sure to perform spell check. just saying...
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:21 PM ^
Uh, yeah... just like everyone roots for Ohio State in the Rose bowl....
Look at my comment. Read. Think. Say, "Oh, I get it now."
And yeah, a lot of Canadians would like to see Germany catch the US. It would shut the fucking annoying US media up.
Don't feel bad or scared that this is the truth. During the Beijing Olympics, I was in Japan and the Japanese were rooting for the US to deny the Chinese dominance.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:24 PM ^
There are NO Canadians cheering for Germany today.
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:30 PM ^
I think it is pretty clear that I meant for the overall medal count. Obviously, Canadians aren't rooting against their own teams in competition.
Oi.
February 24th, 2010 at 1:03 PM ^
Until visiting this blog over the week I really thought that Canada and the USA were friends and had a mutual respect for one another.
Over the past week I have seen more posts making fun of Canada and negative remarks about the country I love that it has made me about sick. I think the thing that bothers me the most is the ignorance that has been displayed on the part of the posters. All this "eh" and "aboot" shit. Any American that has EVER been to Canada or talked to a Canadian knows what horse shit that stereotype is. By bringing it up people are just showing how ignorant they are.
I know that it is only a small amount of posters on here that are making these remarks, so please don't think I am painting the entire mgoblogosphere with this brush. I just find it very irritating when I come to a site I love as a fellow fan and see all this anti-canadian bullshit it makes me sick.
To be clear, I am not opposed to friendly debate as to who is better in certain sports or things of that nature. What I have seen on here over the past week hasn't been friendly IME. Anyway, I just wanted to say that in light of this jackasses remarks about wanting to make me (and my country) look "sillier" and proving his ignorance by stating that any Canadian is rooting for Germans, because I can tell you without question that is BS.
February 24th, 2010 at 4:59 PM ^
While I don't blame you for being upset, you are being disingenuous if you are claiming that knee-jerk anti-Americanism doesn't exist in Canada. There's plenty of it out there.
February 25th, 2010 at 8:48 AM ^
I can't speak for all of Canada, but I can tell you that there is not a lot of anti-Americanism here. Our community thrives on tourism from the USA and has a very friendly relationship with said tourists.
Also, as I said before, it has always been my practice to cheer for the USA when it doesn't involve playing Canada.
I travel a lot and have been to many of the states at one time or another. I can count on one hand the number of negative experiences I have had on my visits. I love the USA.
Being on this blog over the past week and a half hasn't changed my views of Americans as a whole, but it sure has changed my views of some of the bloggers on here. I guess there are assholes no matter what country you are in. Canada nor the USA are exempt from that rule.
February 25th, 2010 at 5:12 AM ^
"All this 'eh' and 'aboot' shit."
FWIW, as an American living in Canada (granted, Toronto isn't the typical Canadian city) I can tell you that Canadians do indeed pronounce about "aboot" and they do say "eh". I'm not sure why pointing this out offended you, but it certainly isn't offensive to the Canadians I know. It's just pretty unoriginal as a joke because it seems to be all most Americans know about our northern neighbors is that "they talk funny."
February 25th, 2010 at 8:39 AM ^
I'll say it again; you can't say Canadians talk like that. You might make a case that Torontonians talk like that, but not Canadians.
Again, you're proving your ignoance by making statements like this. There is a big country that existis outside Toronto.
FWIW, I have been to Toronto on many occassions for both business and pleasure and have never heard anyone say aboot or eh. On the other hand, I have been to North Dakota a few times on hunting trips and heard "Eh" so many times I thought I would shoot myself to end the misery. Hmmmmm......maybe we should start bad mouthing Americans speech, eh?
February 25th, 2010 at 2:18 PM ^
but last I checked Toronto was located within the boundary of Canada. So unless Toronto has declared their independence in the last 15 minutes,
Torontonians saying "aboot" = Canadians saying "aboot"
February 26th, 2010 at 9:46 AM ^
I wouldn't make that generalization. 1 person who resides in Canada does not equal Canadians. Sorry.
February 26th, 2010 at 6:41 PM ^
the worst argument put forth for anything. Ever.
Last time I checked Alabama was located within the boundary of America. So unless Alabama has seceded in the last 15 minutes,
Alabamans sleeping with their cousins = Americans being incestuous.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:38 AM ^
I don't disagree with you that generalizing Torontonians behavior onto all Canadians isn't really fair. I'm pretty sure I made clear that I don't consider Toronto representative of all of Canada. But you seemed to deny that there are any linguistic differences. I think you are misunderstanding me—pointing out a regional accent isn't an insult. If it's being pointed out for comedic purposes, it's a tired and simple joke, but not insulting. It's no different than pointing out the last letter in your alphabet is "zed" and not "zee." It is possible to embrace differences and not become divisive.
February 25th, 2010 at 11:54 AM ^
while I understand that you are upset because people are pointing out that Canadians mispronounce "about" and say eh. I am from Minnesota and we had a whole movie "Fargo" based upon how funny we talk, and I am sure the Yoopers have never heard any barbs their way for how they talk. Really offensive stuff that makes baby jesus cry. I agree, that people instead should make fun of Canada for Bryan Adams, Degrassi Jr. High and calling sneakers, runners. But all that aside, I cannot let this comment go from you.
To be clear, I am not opposed to friendly debate as to who is better in certain sports or things of that nature. What I have seen on here over the past week hasn't been friendly IME.
That statement is especially hard to take from you. Here is what you posted on the Canada v. Russia thread:
Posted on: February 25th, 2010 at 9:13 AM new #65
Blue in Yarmouth
Joined: 2009-02-18
Points: 3305
OnlineWow......
did you ever just sound like an MSU football fan in that rant. It seems like every time you open your mouth you look even less intellegent than the previous time. Maybe you should step away from the keyboard for a while dick55.
While, I am not saying you are not justified or correct in the above comment, it is far from a "friendly debate as to who is better in certain sports or things of that nature." It is nothing but an ad hominem, making fun of the intelligence of MSU fans.
February 25th, 2010 at 1:21 PM ^
Speaking of "Really offensive stuff that makes baby jesus cry," I really don't think those last five words were necessary. (I know, it's from the Simpsons, but still.)
February 26th, 2010 at 10:04 AM ^
Still trying to pick fights. Nice of you to grab what I said as a rebuttle and neglect to include what was said to me to provoke such a response.
As I said, "To be clear, I am not opposed to friendly debate as to who is better in certain sports or things of that nature. What I have seen on here over the past week hasn't been friendly IME."
You say that can't be true because I wrote "did you ever just sound like an MSU football fan in that rant. It seems like every time you open your mouth you look even less intellegent than the previous time. Maybe you should step away from the keyboard for a while dick55."
Here is what I was responding to and may give people an idea as to what I was referring to: "You keep those chests held high going into the Semis, so you can be humbled again by a sissy boy team from across the pond. And if you do make it to the finals, and face us, prepare to get shit-housed. Because we aren't your little brothers anymore. We've learned how to play hockey, and we are the scariest team in the tournament, Biatch."
The remark about MSU fans was in relation to his "Little Brother" comment. The remark that sparked the unfriendly debate was this: "you're an unlikeable, goonish team, and with the exception of your head coach, have no redeeming qualities. It will be fun beating your asses again for the gold medal."
This was my point, there has been no friendly debate, it has been a constant bashing. Don't blame me for sticking up for my Country. I have not started any of this animosity regarding the olympics and Canada vs USA, but have simply responded by sticking up for the country of which I am a citizen.
You go back and find one post that I said anything negative about the USA or made any unprovoked insults toward any poster. I will save you the time by saying you won't find any.
To conclude, grow the hell up.
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:50 PM ^
This could be a Rick Reilly column.
February 24th, 2010 at 6:38 PM ^
22 years ago we won 6 medals for the entire Games, sum total. You can attribute a little of our newfound success newer sports (snowboarding, etc.), but this has been an exceptional Olympics for the US.
Let's hope the hockey team medals. I have little expectation that we gold, but dammit it's nice being in the hunt.
February 25th, 2010 at 2:12 AM ^
All of a sudden, Canada is coming on like gangbusters. They're now tied with the U.S. and Germany for the most golds, with seven. They won't finish first in total medals, but have a real shot at getting the most golds.
February 25th, 2010 at 1:26 PM ^
Canada WILL have the most Golds. So in fact we will have in fact owned the podium If Canada doesn't get 13 golds I'll be disappointed.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:07 AM ^
and you know damn well that isn't what they meant. They were talking about how we were going to win the total medal count, which I knew was an absolute joke. They should have left the talk alone because it has overshadowed the fact that Canada has actually done pretty good (comparing it to our own history, not anyone elses) in these olympics.