Tuesday, March 2, 2010

let the spring begin!

The winter Olympics are over, finally. 2 weeks seems a long time, yet it also seems like it goes by quickly. Memories of gold medals and other such accomplishments will slowly fade from our memories, much like way the snow melts into the grass. Canada really got into the games - people are talking about the hockey final, and other accomplishments. It seems everyone knows someone who knew someone who used to live next door to the uncle of so-and-so at the Olympics. I didn't know anyone, but apparently, the gold-medal winning ice-dance pair from Canada used to train at a facility not far from where I live. I'm not sure how many degrees of separation that makes it...

I felt proud to be a Canadian, but I can't get the thought out of my mind about the cost of the games. Billions, I'm sure. It's lovely to see countries coming together like this, but the truth is, it's a rich-person's interest. of all the billions of dollars spent on the Olympics, I can't help but wonder how even a fraction of this could be used to help rehabilitate a place like Haiti, or countless other places around the world that in need of some kind of aid. I'm trying not to be cynical here. I did enjoy the games. I just wish the extravagance could somehow be put to a productive use.

One final note about the games... someone sent me a link from a newspaper in the US. The writer has some... well... interesting ... things to say about the Vancouver Winter Olympics. I realize he's trying to cause a stir. I'll say no more, just post this:

http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/28/2003874/in-these-olympics-canadians-only.html

O