Earlier today I wrote this tweet: "I don't blame D. Morrison for his comments. I'm not saying this because I'm biased either, I've been thinking the same thing."
I still definitely agree with his comments about Own the Podium. If Canada wants their athletes to succeed and do the best that they can, why can't they train with whomever they want? Shani Davis is an American speed skater who pretty much owns the ice/oval. Before the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Own the Podium pretty much gave Davis the boot and told him he can't train in Calgary and with Denny Morrison, who is his training partner, friend and rival. When they trained together, they pushed each other and taught one another. When the Turin Olympics came, Denny didn't do well at all, and Shani got his gold medal. It looks like history repeated itself this year.
Yeah, they've both been on the World Cup circuit and Denny has won medals and excelled, but that was without the pressure from Own the Podium telling him "YOU BETTER WIN FOR YOUR COUNTRY!"
Denny spoke out about Own the Podium, and now people are pretty much giving him shit for it. Why can't an athlete speak out in frustration and say what's on his/her mind? Yesterday, he apologized for his comments, and I don't really think he needed to. It's a matter of opinion. HIS opinion. If you're a competitive athlete and been in a similar situation (not necessarily Olympics or anything at a national level, you'd understand.)
Another example of this is when Melissa Holingsworth, the skeleton sled girl (for lack of a better word), came in 5th place, she was all in tears and apologizing to the country. Why would someone have to apologize to the country? It's because of Own the Podium. She was a favourite to win a medal, and she didn't. There is too much expectation set for the Olympic athletes. Why can't they just fly under the radar and relax? She felt like she let the country down. No one should be let down from her 5th place finish. Everyone should be happy at her achievements and the fact that she did fairly well.
Look at the men's hockey team... They're expected to win gold this year to redeem themselves from 2006. Again, all of that pressure is there. Now they're going to have to play against Germany to get into the quarter finals, which is against Russia. I honestly think it's going to be a struggle and a big challenge for Team Canada in hockey.
I am not a pessimist, and I am a big supporter of the Olympics and Canada. I want all of our athletes to do well. If they don't get a medal, not a big deal. They did the best that they could.
[/end rant]
I still definitely agree with his comments about Own the Podium. If Canada wants their athletes to succeed and do the best that they can, why can't they train with whomever they want? Shani Davis is an American speed skater who pretty much owns the ice/oval. Before the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Own the Podium pretty much gave Davis the boot and told him he can't train in Calgary and with Denny Morrison, who is his training partner, friend and rival. When they trained together, they pushed each other and taught one another. When the Turin Olympics came, Denny didn't do well at all, and Shani got his gold medal. It looks like history repeated itself this year.
Yeah, they've both been on the World Cup circuit and Denny has won medals and excelled, but that was without the pressure from Own the Podium telling him "YOU BETTER WIN FOR YOUR COUNTRY!"
Denny spoke out about Own the Podium, and now people are pretty much giving him shit for it. Why can't an athlete speak out in frustration and say what's on his/her mind? Yesterday, he apologized for his comments, and I don't really think he needed to. It's a matter of opinion. HIS opinion. If you're a competitive athlete and been in a similar situation (not necessarily Olympics or anything at a national level, you'd understand.)
Another example of this is when Melissa Holingsworth, the skeleton sled girl (for lack of a better word), came in 5th place, she was all in tears and apologizing to the country. Why would someone have to apologize to the country? It's because of Own the Podium. She was a favourite to win a medal, and she didn't. There is too much expectation set for the Olympic athletes. Why can't they just fly under the radar and relax? She felt like she let the country down. No one should be let down from her 5th place finish. Everyone should be happy at her achievements and the fact that she did fairly well.
Look at the men's hockey team... They're expected to win gold this year to redeem themselves from 2006. Again, all of that pressure is there. Now they're going to have to play against Germany to get into the quarter finals, which is against Russia. I honestly think it's going to be a struggle and a big challenge for Team Canada in hockey.
I am not a pessimist, and I am a big supporter of the Olympics and Canada. I want all of our athletes to do well. If they don't get a medal, not a big deal. They did the best that they could.
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