# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/61 "2010-02-14T14:44:02Z")
Anyplace I can watch the opening ceremonies? ---
**Author:** ![Valteron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f17d59/32.png) [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/62 "2010-02-14T14:47:20Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Are you advocating that they should piss off and we should worry more about pleasing little old loser you? I am just saying that for once in my life I would like to be part of a country where we do not excuse failure and mediocrity with loser excuses like “Well, they tried”. ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/63 "2010-02-14T14:54:48Z")
At the [1976 Summer Paralympics](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1976_Summer_Paralympics) in Toronto, Canada came in 6th place in medal count with 25 gold medals. I can also guarantee you that there will be plenty of Canadian paralympians who will roll away from Vancouver with Gold medals. [Rick’s Rant – The Olympics](http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/The_Rick_Mercer_Report/ID=1409806083) ---
**Author:** ![Valteron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f17d59/32.png) [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/64 "2010-02-14T14:55:19Z")
> [@ToeJam](#): > > So this is what its like when old people rant at passer byes. It’s the ultimate “Get off my lawn!” Except you’re yelling at your own people on your lawn… Classic! I’m Canadian. There are 30 cm of snow on my lawn. I won’t be seeing green in front of my house for another six or seven weeks if I’m lucky, Winter we know. Winter sports. . . . . > [@ToeJam](#): > > Though if Canada wins a Gold, at least you won’t have to worry anymore. I think they should be able to manage at least one gold this year… Oh, I admit we might win one or two Golds. Big fucking deal! ---
**Author:** ![Capcha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Capcha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capcha)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/65 "2010-02-14T14:55:19Z")
Few of the things that bothered me (doesn’t have to do with the medals argument) is that some singers in the opening ceremony lip-sync. Brian adams fumbled his first line (didn’t put the microphone up to his lips fast enough when his voice came on). Nor did the girl singing our anthem sing it live. Singers tend to exagerate their movements when they don’t sing live. ---
**Author:** ![flodnak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@flodnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flodnak)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/66 "2010-02-14T15:33:07Z")
> [@manx](#): > > My girlfriend is Norwegian, and has told me that the Norwegian media throw tantrums when Norway doesn’t top medal table at the Winter Olympics. I don’t think that’s fair. “Tantrum” just isn’t an accurate way of describing the media reaction. “Bowel-evacuating panic” comes a lot closer. ---
**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 14, 2010, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/67 "2010-02-14T15:46:04Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > Originally I thought this would be about the Canadian Olympic riots. What the hell is that about? Canadian Olympic Flame, or a Canadian’s Olympic Flameout. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/68 "2010-02-14T15:48:24Z")
Well, do tell us then, what exactly you are doing to support sport in your community? Fundraising? Volunteering? Donating? Advocating for more tax dollars going to sport? Or just bitching here? Yeah, I thought so! You live in a country widely admired for it’s standard of living, respect for human rights, non aggression, diversity, education etc. But you’re upset over a shiny piece of metal for sliding downhill on sticks, or shouting at rocks on rinks? When the Indian team arrived, without matching outfits, and no money to purchase same, the local Indo Canadian community stepped in and outfitted them in time for the opening ceremonies. I’ll take that over a gold medal any day. Most Canadians would love to see our country win a gold medal on our soil, to be sure. Fortunately most are more circumspect than you, on the issue. But do go on, with the frothing at the mouth and the stupidity, that can only help, I’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/69 "2010-02-14T16:00:33Z")
> [@Valteron](#): > > Why don’t our athletes win a few? The ones who are young enough to be my grandchildren! How ya doin’, Gramps? ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/70 "2010-02-14T16:02:12Z")
Also, his childish little rant ignores the fact that Canada has, in fact, done **exceedingly well** at the last four Winter Olympics. It’s a bit like bitching that, yeah, my team won the Stanley Cup this year but they didn’t win it in nineteen-dickety-two so how good could they be! There’s in fact a strong chance of Canada winning the entire medal table this year. “Go get Grandpa’s pills” has never seemed so appropriate a sentiment. ---
**Author:** ![Valteron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f17d59/32.png) [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/71 "2010-02-14T16:04:26Z")
Another one along with Silken Lauman, Alexandre Despatie, and Brian Orser that were hyped for weeks before the Olympics as potential Gold Medal winners and never won it. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/72 "2010-02-14T16:11:51Z")
Do you actually think other countries don’t have hyped athletes that fail to win gold? Bode Miller or Dan O’Brien ring a bell (probably not, you seem pretty out of it)? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/73 "2010-02-14T16:24:35Z")
> [@Valteron](#): > > Norway - 4.8 million > Austria - 8.3 million > Sweden - 9.3 million > Finland - 5.3 million > Total population: 27.7 million Not germane to the discussion, but it’s weird that the combined populations of Austria, Sweden, Norway, and Finland are less that the population of California (estimated at 36,961,664 in 2009). ---
**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 14, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/74 "2010-02-14T16:46:16Z")
Valteron, regarding your credibility, what is the highest level of achievement in sport that you have personally reached? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/75 "2010-02-14T16:48:09Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > Curling on home turf. (Well, kind of; curling is actually a Scottish invention, but it’s most popular in Canada.) You guys will get at least one silver. > > FWIW, [there’s going to be plenty of Team Canada curling draws on the cable networks in the States](http://www.nbcolympics.com/tv-listings/zone=ET/sport=CU/index.html), so I don’t want to hear the usual “wah wah the Olympics telecasts in the US feature only American teams and athletes and sob stories about blond figure skaters overcoming adversity” garbage. We’re rooting for ya’ … really! [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kE5QzOprns&feature=player\_embedded](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kE5QzOprns&feature=player_embedded) Here are some great curls. I saw the quad knockout on Tv when it happened. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/76 "2010-02-14T16:52:37Z")
> [@Valteron](#): > > \\*\* Canada got lotsa winter cause Canada real far North. Why Canada not do better when Canada play in snow?\*\*\ They have an excuse this time. They are not playing in snow. They are playing in slush 😛 On the other hand, I can’t wait for the Olympics to be over. The constant hype that assaulted us for the last year or so, turned me off. If I don’t hear about them again, it won’t be soon enough. ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/77 "2010-02-14T16:54:56Z")
> [@Valteron](#): > > Norway, Austria, Sweden and Finland…five northern countries…won 613% more gold medals than we did. Looks like counting is another winter sport the Canadians aren’t medaling in. But more to the point, that statistic is just amazing. Four countries combined have won more gold medals than one country has! Stop the presses everyone, that’s gotta go on the front page! ---
**Author:** ![Valteron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f17d59/32.png) [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/78 "2010-02-14T17:07:37Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Valteron, regarding your credibility, what is the highest level of achievement in sport that you have personally reached? What has my sport achievement to do with the OP? It is obvious, Muffin, that you are labouring under the logical fallacy of the old “can you do better?” “Can you do better?” makes a great school yard taunt for kids, but it does not make logical sense. Do movie critics have to have made better movies, and have been better actors, producers and directors than those they criticize? Do music critics have to be better musicians, opera singers, etc.? By your logic of “can you do better”, only silver medal winners could criticize bronze medal winners. Only gold medal winners could criticize silver medal winners. If an athlete’s coach never actually won a medal, he should shut up and never criticize the performance of a bronze medalist he is coaching, I suppose. The last time I checked, “credibility” means believability. I make the following statement: \*\*“Canada, a nothern country of 34 million people has won 38 golds in Winter Olympics. Norway, with a mere 4.8 million, has won 98.” \*\* Now, what have my sports abilities to do with that sentence? If I were to tell you that I am a quadraplegic who blows into a straw to move his wheelchair, would the sentence become less credible? If I told you I had won Olympic Gold once, does the sentence become more credible? To answer your question, I have never participated in team sports. I work out alone at the gym. So fucking what? What does that have to do with my OP? ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/79 "2010-02-14T17:08:28Z")
> [@Ca3799](#): > > Anyplace I can watch the opening ceremonies? You can go over to **Valteron** ’s and watch the whole thing, but you’ll wind up covered in spittle. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2010, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922/80 "2010-02-14T17:11:13Z")
> [@Valteron](#): > > From K.D. Lang looking like a drag-king dyke who had to use her big brother’s suit Wait, are you mad at her tailor for making an ill-fitting suit or her for being a drag king dyke? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-canadian-flames-the-whole-canadian-olympic-mess/528922.md?page=5)