# A Canadian flames the whole Canadian Olympic Mess! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 14, 2010, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922 "2010-02-14T03:35:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2010, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/181 "2010-02-16T23:31:37Z")
That can’t be a real gold medal - snowboard cross is clearly a made up sport. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2010, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/182 "2010-02-16T23:42:04Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > I thought most Canadians had a Zamboni in the back of their shed, just in case. Us poor folks don’t – yesterday I used a riding mower with a blower blade attachment to clear the rink in my yard. Watering is done by my neighbour by holding a hose. I guess I should apply to the Feds for a Zamboni grant. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2010, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/183 "2010-02-16T23:54:43Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > That can’t be a real gold medal - snowboard cross is clearly a made up sport. Yeah, made up FOR PURE FUN! Seriously, how much fun does that look like? Yet another YAY CANADA! 😃 And, when I was a kid, all we had was a garden hose and a snow shovel for OUR backyard rink. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/184 "2010-02-17T00:07:12Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > And, when I was a kid, all we had was a garden hose and a snow shovel for OUR backyard rink. ☹ Blame it on the Crow Rate. (Actually, when I was a kid, we used a neighbour’s garden hose and snow shovels on the local park’s tennis court rink, and we used watering cans and snow shovels at my school’s indoor rink – the school didn’t get a Zamboni until after I was gone.) ---
**Author:** ![BMada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@BMada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMada)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/185 "2010-02-17T03:18:58Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Can I just point out now that Maelle Ricker has won another gold for Canada? > > And that **Valteron** is looking increasingly like a doddering old duffer who cannot remember the past 18 years properly? I saw most of Maelle’s interviews, she is SO bubbly and giggly it’s cute. How can anyone be a curmudgeon when hearing her speak with a giggle at the end of everything she says. I’m glad she won the gold, and I’m hoping for more. Canada’s men’s Ice Hockey team just thumped Norway 8-0 too, Team Canada is out to prove Valteron wrong. ---
**Author:** ![5-HT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/f19dbf/32.png) [@5-HT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5-HT)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/186 "2010-02-17T03:50:36Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > That is demosntrably not true, as evidenced by the events of less than 24 hours ago, when the Americans picked up silver and bronze in men’s 1500m short track speed skating. The announcers were absolutely crazy about the achievement, because it was unexpected; Ohno was not a favourite to win the event and the kid who picked up bronze was an amazing comeback story. The announcers’ reactions in that case might have had a little something to do with the way the race ended, moreso than the medals for americans. Your use of this as an example is a little disingenuous. As whether or not you’re correct about the issue, I have no idea. I tend to watch the olympics with the sound turned off. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/187 "2010-02-17T06:24:21Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Blame it on the Crow Rate. I see you have met Saskatchewanians. 😃 > [@](#): > > (Actually, when I was a kid, we used a neighbour’s garden hose and snow shovels on the local park’s tennis court rink, and we used watering cans and snow shovels at my school’s indoor rink – the school didn’t get a Zamboni until after I was gone.) Richy. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/188 "2010-02-17T06:32:41Z")
Did anyone mention men’s and women’s curling both winning their first games today? It looks like the men won their second game, too. Go curlers! There’s something I love about watching Olympic curlers - people who look like they are on hiatus from their jobs as accountants and bar managers (or your dad) curling for Olympic medals. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/189 "2010-02-17T10:03:43Z")
> [@BMada](#): > > Canada’s men’s Ice Hockey team just thumped Norway 8-0 too, You realize that proves nothing, right? The Norwegian men’s ice hockey team was invited to the Olympics to be everyone’s punching bag. Don’t think of that as a match; think of it as target practice. Meanwhile, the Norwegian men’s curling team’s decision to distract everyone with the, um, most _colorful_ uniform on ice? That seems to be kicking in, slowly but steadily. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/190 "2010-02-17T13:29:25Z")
> [@flodnak](#): > > You realize that proves nothing, right? The Norwegian men’s ice hockey team was invited to the Olympics to be everyone’s punching bag. Don’t think of that as a match; think of it as target practice. > > Meanwhile, the Norwegian men’s curling team’s decision to distract everyone with the, um, most _colorful_ uniform on ice? That seems to be kicking in, slowly but steadily. Oughta win a medal just for putting those pants on, I say. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/191 "2010-02-17T13:40:55Z")
> [@flodnak](#): > > Meanwhile, the Norwegian men’s curling team’s decision to distract everyone with the, um, most _colorful_ uniform on ice? Do you perchance have a link to a photo? I tried to search for one, but with no success. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/192 "2010-02-17T13:57:14Z")
> [@Floater](#): > > Do you perchance have a link to a photo? I tried to search for one, but with no success. [http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61F5JE20100216](http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61F5JE20100216) ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/193 "2010-02-17T14:00:45Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > Oughta win a medal just for putting those pants on, I say. I would give my left arm for a pair of those pants. They are _FAN-FRIKIN-TASTIC_. I love them quite deeply. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/194 "2010-02-17T14:04:43Z")
Thanks, they are, well … different. I saw part of Sweden’s match (beating a Scottish team, yeah!) on the adjacent sheet, but unfortunately I didn’t get a glimpse of the Norwegians. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/195 "2010-02-17T14:16:11Z")
The pants are off-the-rack golf slacks from LoudMouth Golf. Who is now getting so much publicity that they should start sponsoring curling teams 😛 ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/196 "2010-02-17T14:50:48Z")
> [@Valteron](#): > > Ever hear about the exceptioin that proves the rule? Have _you_ ever bothered to learn what this phrase actually means? It does not mean ‘pointing to one exception validates the truth of my assertion’. Look it up. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/197 "2010-02-17T23:26:50Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > I find the Canadian celebrating of any and all attempts endearing and refreshing. I am heartily sick of the USA attitude of gold, gold, gold! YMMV. I wholeheartedly agree. I always thought that a bronze medal means that, of all the thousands or tens of thousands of people who play your sport, there are only two that are better at it than you. Personally, _my_ Olympic hero is Lolo Jones, who fell in her race at Beijing, was completely devastated, yet had the guts to face an NBC interview and then the amazing grace to stop to congratulate the woman who had beaten her. _That’s_ an Olympian. I’ve never been so proud of an American athlete. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/198 "2010-02-18T12:41:23Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > I would give my left arm for a pair of those pants. They are _FAN-FRIKIN-TASTIC_. > > I love them quite deeply. In a related story, John Daly reports the theft of six pairs of pants from his closet. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/199 "2010-02-18T21:37:10Z")
From the above-linked story on those pants: The reaction back home in Norway? “The tendency is, the chicks dig them and the guys … they’re not too sure about it,” he said. * * * I’m gonna go out on a limb and predict that once the guys twig to the fact that “the chicks dig them,” they’ll have a change of heart. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/200 "2010-02-18T22:29:03Z")
More bad news for friend **Valteron**! Someone wake him up from his nap. **Valteron**! **VALTERON!** It seems that Canada is in the medals yet again GOLD for Christine Nesbitt in the Women’s 1000 m long track speed skating. Not bad for a “loser” country. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922.md?page=11)