Post by phil on Jul 22, 2004 18:07:21 GMT -5
At first I was not about to comment about the "Separatist Flag Bearer at the Olympics" story.
Except for a few excited extremists in Quebec
(and probably a couple of rednecks in the ROC)
nobody picked up on the "Toronto Sun" piece ...
But it got me to think on how much some people
equal sporting events and athletic performances
with nationalistic pride and accomplishments ...
Sports seem to exist only as a window of their country
and a victory in Synchronized Swimming is the irrefutable proof that Canada is "the most excellent country in the Whole Wide World" ...
Believe me, it is a sentiment I see way too much in Québec each time one of our own excell in anything ...
WE love to make fun of American chauvinism in sports
but at least THEY have something they can brag about most of the time . If only they learned the difference between being pround of being Americans and seeing themselves as a model for all humanity ...
After lambasting the choice of Nicolas Gill, the writer from "The Sun" goes on to say, "[they] should have chosen the wrestler Daniel Igali who wept and draped himself in the canadian flag after his victory at the Sidney's Games and since that time has professed over and over again his love and admiration for his adoptive country."
It was indeed a very touching scene and I'm sure Igali is genualy grateful to have found peace, training facilities and glory in Canada instead of still being in Nigeria. He would have made a great flag bearer ...
When I read the article a second time, I had to ask myself if it the writer was not more interested in the gratitude expressed by the athlete than the athlete himself ...
Me Canadian welcome poor African in my beautiful and large country. Me give him the Rockies. Him give me a medal. Me give him a flag ...
I think the athletes going to the Olympics
have earn the right to represent themselves ... !!
Except for a few excited extremists in Quebec
(and probably a couple of rednecks in the ROC)
nobody picked up on the "Toronto Sun" piece ...
But it got me to think on how much some people
equal sporting events and athletic performances
with nationalistic pride and accomplishments ...
Sports seem to exist only as a window of their country
and a victory in Synchronized Swimming is the irrefutable proof that Canada is "the most excellent country in the Whole Wide World" ...
Believe me, it is a sentiment I see way too much in Québec each time one of our own excell in anything ...
WE love to make fun of American chauvinism in sports
but at least THEY have something they can brag about most of the time . If only they learned the difference between being pround of being Americans and seeing themselves as a model for all humanity ...
After lambasting the choice of Nicolas Gill, the writer from "The Sun" goes on to say, "[they] should have chosen the wrestler Daniel Igali who wept and draped himself in the canadian flag after his victory at the Sidney's Games and since that time has professed over and over again his love and admiration for his adoptive country."
It was indeed a very touching scene and I'm sure Igali is genualy grateful to have found peace, training facilities and glory in Canada instead of still being in Nigeria. He would have made a great flag bearer ...
When I read the article a second time, I had to ask myself if it the writer was not more interested in the gratitude expressed by the athlete than the athlete himself ...
Me Canadian welcome poor African in my beautiful and large country. Me give him the Rockies. Him give me a medal. Me give him a flag ...
I think the athletes going to the Olympics
have earn the right to represent themselves ... !!
