Olympic Spirit

In a few short weeks the 2010 Winter Olympics will begin, and I can hardly wait. I love the energy surrounding the Olympics – getting people together from all over the world in one place, at one time. Canadians from coast to coast to coast are getting fired up for the games. This, in part, has been made possible by the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, which is bringing the Olympic flame to over 1, 000 Canadian communities.

The torch even came into our little city of Owen Sound. Over 3,000 people came out on a cold, blustery night to celebrate. My own daughter got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing for the torch – her choir sang a beautiful song composed by Canada’s own Gregory Charles. This very song was performed by nearly 200 other choirs in similar ceremonies across the country.

There is only one small problem with this torch relay that I can see. I don’t mean to be a Negative Nelly, but something in the paper got me all worked up yesterday. It seems that some of the corporate sponsors of the Torch Relay have been giving their torch-bearer positions to their American executives. We all know how things work in the corporate world. But, this is one area where corporate kick-backs shouldn’t be allowed. We’re not talking about stealing pens and paperclips from the storage closet. This is stealing experiences from the Canadian people.

A previous RBC press release stated: “12,000 Canadians will carry the flame across the country at their own pace with millions more cheering and supporting them.” Meanwhile, on Day 44 of the relay, six RBC employees from the U.S. took part in our relay. Maybe their press release really should have said, “Buy a chance to carry the torch!” I wonder how many Canadians applying to be torch bearers were turned down? Apparently, out of the 12,000 torch bearers, 200 are American citizens. I know it’s not a huge percentage – but if the tables were turned, what would happen if a Canadian got caught participating in an American torch relay? We all know how they feel about torture…oops, was that out loud?

Yes, I do realize that I’m over-reacting. I just get fed up when Americans steal our thunder. I’m as polite as any Canadian girl. If someone accidentally steps on my toes, I’ll be the one to apologize. But, maybe it’s time to stop being the “nice” country. In my meanest of mean thoughts, I have a little fantasy. When that Texan carried the torch during the Timmins to Sault Ste. Marie leg of the relay, I hope that it was -30 with a windchill of -40. I also hope that a “not so nice” Canadian told him that in the north, we don’t kiss the torch, we lick it…right on that really cold metal part!!