Games are changing the way the world views Canada
"Vancouver Games continue downhill slide from disaster to calamity," said the Guardian's Lawrence Donegan, who mocked Canadian joy at Alexandre Bilodeau's gold by sniping: "What chance an enterprising Canadian carpenter is working on a commemorative wooden spoon?"
The Independent's James Lawton used an unnerving moment when Swiss luger Stefan Hoehener nearly lost his sled to declare: "The line between legitimate ambition and excessive belief in the right to national bragging rights and the prosecution of these games according to plan and TV schedule cannot be so easily buried by a fresh fall of snow."He was still shocked Tuesday morning at Canada's response to Bilodeau's gold medal in the moguls.
It was "nothing less than the removal of an extremely large monkey from the back of a nation which in normal circumstances is arguably the most moderate, unassuming and compassionate in the entire Western world."
Now that Canada has gold, he said, "It could be that we will see a different and more recognizable face of Canada, one less contorted by the need to win."
Canada's Own the Podium campaign appears to have shocked more than one British sportswriter surprised that the country might want to dominate its home Games. The Times' Simon wrote, "their highly unpleasant Own the Podium program ... has alienated the world they are supposed to play host to. Getting ugly about it is neither necessary nor appropriate."
Of course, it could just be that the British are yet to win a medal - but still the aggressiveness does seem to be a bit "un-Canadian".
