The 2010 Vancouver Olympics have been over for a while now. The excitement that permeated this country was so palpable while the Games were going... it was awesome! And with the first gold medal, the belief in our country's athletes became huge!
There was complete surprise and amazement when the golds began rolling in... and we completely stole the gold podium. I'm not sure we will ever be able to repeat that performance but it really doesn't matter.
What matters is the sense of pride in Canada that we have... Canadians have always been a quiet and polite bunch. Not loud and outspoken, but persistent, dedicated and hard working. That hard work paid off for our athletes and we soared above and far beyond anyone's expectations.
The voice behind the Olympic song "I Believe" is Nikki Yanofsky, a 16 year old from Quebec who is a jazz singer. At the age of 12 or 13, she was on stage singing tributes to Ella Fitzgerald. She's got an amazing voice, is gorgeous, and has been giving back to the world through her talent and her achievements with typical Canadian aplomb... quietly but with grace and style. I've included the video of her singing 'I Believe'... and every time I hear it or see the video, I am moved to tears with pride... I love3 her voice, I love this song... and I love My Country!!!!
Medals.
ReplyDelete*mutter, mutter*
Sx
Scarlet: What?!?! At least you got one... and it was gold!
ReplyDeleteall of the athletes were magnificent, sugar! the olympic spirit resides in them all - Citius, Altius, Fortius." "Swifter, Higher, Stronger." we can all learn from them and try to apply the same to our own lives every day. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI was surprised at how much Mrs. Wife, 8 year-old daughter and I got wrapped up in the Olympics. We thought it would be an entertaining aside, but we wound up watching almost every night. Well done, Canada!
ReplyDeleteThat, plus you guys put on a great event for everyone! Much to be proud of!
ReplyDeleteSavannah:How true, my dear... how true! xoxo
ReplyDeleteUB: And well done, USA! You got the most medals ever for your country at an Olympics!! That is a huge accomplishment! I miss watching the Games... it was very exciting, nerve wracking and entertaining at the same time!
XL: Very proud indeed! Despite the weather issues and the lack of snow... and that horrible accident even before things got rolling... the Games turned out spectacularly!
ReplyDeleteAs an honourary Canuck, I'm proud of Canada for such a spectacular show--and showing it to the world.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you feel the event boosted your country - certainly, from where I sit Canada emerged from it pretty well, even forgetting the medal haul.
ReplyDeleteAs for our own medal "haul", I'm not worried. It'll be our turn in Summer 2012 {ahem} ...
I'd love one or another Canadian too.
ReplyDeleteCharlie:Thank you! And I'm glad to have you as an honourary (thank you for spelling it 'our' way!) Canuck!
ReplyDeleteRo: I hope you do get a good haul in 2012! Can't wait! I love the equestrian events at the summer games.
Mago: Did you have any particular Canadian in mind???
Y'all did pretty good, too in the Paralympics! I wish the US got coverage of the Paralympics on tv. But those bastards didn't show it. I had to go online to watch some of the events.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very heartfelt Olympics--that started with the tragic death of that Georgian luger, to Joannie Rochette losing her mother suddenly before she competed in figure skating, to watching that Chinese couple return from retirement to finally win that figure skating Olympic gold after almost 20 years of skating together. Every day was full of great stories and Canada did a wonderful job of welcoming the world and hosting the games. I thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment and the spirit of the games. I will also forever remember those stylish Norwegian curling pants!
Eros: I can't say I watched much of the Paralympics, but then I was back at work. Having a week's holidays while the Olympics were on wasn't planned but sure worked out well!
ReplyDeleteMany memorable experiences throughout the Games, both heartbreaking and joyous, made the Games an amazing time!
And those Norwegian pants continued to make an appearance at the Womens world curling tournament that just wrapped up here in Canada. The company (Loudmouth) that supplied the pants to the mens curling team for the Olympics sent pants to the Norwegian womens curling team!
There is something deeply profound about the love of one's country and the feelings that stir inside...
ReplyDeleteCanada, is it not that wee strange place situated somewhere near Poland?
Jimmy: Strange? This... coming from one who lives in a country where men wear skirts??
ReplyDeleteWEE???? Your little bit of windswept dirt, my dear, is 0.00002% the size of this wee land of mine.
So there.... :-P
*wee indeed.... the nerve of some men.... just how much Guinness has that man consumed tonight? harrumpf*
I cannot be positive about this, but I think James just rattled your cage.
ReplyDeleteThat company Loudmouth is going to make gazillions of $$$ when they start selling to the public--very smart marketing.
Charlie: Yes I think Loudmouth did themselves good!
ReplyDeleteAnd Jimmy tries to rattle my cage often... I play along and try to give him the appropriate response... but he has yet to seriously ruffle my feathers. We have lots of fun, though! ;-)
"Canadians have always been a quiet and polite bunch. Not loud and outspoken, but persistent, dedicated and hard working."
ReplyDeleteNot to bash on my own country, but there are times when I want to leave. Your description of Canada makes me want to go and live in British Columbia. Well, your description and that commercial they ran all during the Olympics that made it appear to be something out of a dream. OK, your description, that commercial, and all those Norse women living up there that look like viking supermodels.
M. Steve: Most of those Norse women live in the middle of the country, not in BC! And if you like rain, go for BC. If you want dry, come to the Prairies. I've lived in both places... I chose the dry. Lots of Vikings in this area (me being one of them...)! Come on up and check it out!!!
ReplyDeleteWee in stature doll face, wee in stature. I actually looked up all the places of interest in Canada, and it would seem that apart fae having the cleanest public restrooms in the Western hemosphere, Canada also boasts a mighty fine collection of used beer mats.
ReplyDeleteI bet those long winters nights just flyyyyyy by.
Seriously though, if you google 'Canada-places of beauty' the photie seems to be of the lovely Pony-doll herself.
Jimmy: You're a smooth talker, hon!
ReplyDeleteYes, here in Canada, beer is the national drink, it would seem.
As long as my phone number isn't there with my photo all over the interwebs....
I was born in Montreal. As society here in the States grows ever more fractious, I find myself pondering a return to my birthplace.
ReplyDeleteCanadians have far more reasons to be proud than most realize. I sit south of the border...pondering.
Good for you. I always had a soft spot for Canada. Being as how you practically Scottish anyway.
ReplyDeleteJonas: Do you have dual citizenship? You could come back any time then!
ReplyDeleteM.DeFarge: I'm Scottish? I always thought I was half Icelandic... perhaps my parents didn't tell me everything.
I'm sure I could inject something very Scottish into Pony-doll on request.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful that all of those countries can compete and no one is at war.
ReplyDeleteNo one worries about your colour, language, religion or beliefs.
And we all got to see the beauty of the people and the country
Jimmy: Just how soon can you honour that request???
ReplyDeleteClyde: It seems to be pretty much the only time now that the world can come together in peace and enjoy each other... Which is very nice, but really too bad also.