As I write this feature, Canada has garnered 21 medals. I know because I just saw it on television, the magic that instantly communicates around the world what is happening in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
The women’s figure skating competition has just been concluded. It was about 12:00 midnight eastern time, 9:00 pm in Vancouver. I felt very tired, after witnessing Jeannie Rochette do her long program, joining the thousands of viewers in Canada anxiously watching the performance of this courageous young lady who lost her mother a few days ago and decided to continue pursuing her dream of taking part in the Olympics, which, she felt would have been her mother’s wish. The television screen mirrored all the deep emotions Jeannie Rochette felt, as well as those of her family and the spectators who watched with tears in their eyes. The overwhelming display of support by the audience was awesome. The people from her little town in Quebec were also shown as they collectively cheered when she was awarded the bronze medal.
I am not much of a fan of modern techno logy. I do not use the computer. I only hear how people gush over the Facebook or the Twitter. I have always been anxious about the evils, that modern technology has brought to this world, like cyber bullying, identity theft, economic frauds that made thousands lose their savings, youth being lured by unscrupulous men and women to join them in horrible experiences involving sex and other criminal acts. I do not even own one of these latest models of telephones or televisions, but I have one of these large screen televisions that was updated by one of the cable companies so that I have access to 100 channels. Am I glad that I had the upgrade. I would not have enjoyed these two weeks of the Olympics had I kept hesitating about acquiring the latest in modern technology.
I marvel in how different shots of the various events have been combined together to form a collage that is repeatedly shown to introduce a new event. ‘It has been fascinating to see close ups of faces showing anxiety, nervousness, uncertainty, excitement, extreme pleasure, disappointments, ecstasy as well as grief.
I learned the characteristics that identify each event which I did not know before,. I have developed a keen understanding of the difficulties an athlete undergoes in preparing for his event. It has taken some of them as long as fifteen years to acquire the skills, the body fitness, the emotional preparation, that endurance and the team spirit needed to qualify as an Olympian. I now appreciate more keenly the sacrifices that family has to make in the preparation of a member of the clan for this grand occasion.
I have followed these 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics from the opening ceremonies and I shall be with it up to the closing. Wait, that is not accurate, my attention was first called when the flame for the Olympic tour was lighted in Greece and members from First Nations welcomed it to Canada. Television kept that torch in the sight of the world as it traveled from hand to hand through the prairies and glacial regions of this vast land in the north, to the crowded cities in the east and central parts back again to the west in time for the opening of the Olympics on February 12th.,
The early part of its first day was marked with gloom due to the accidental death of a Georgian Luger during a practice run. This unfortunate incident was in the minds of the huge crowd as well as those in their home watching the opening parade of athletes. The feeling of guilt over some possible flaws in the design of the huge track and the rush of compassions for the members of the Georgian team marred the joy and enthusiasm for the opening ceremonies. As one newspaper headline stated, it was “Ecstasy and Agony.”
(Saturday Star, Headline, Feb 13, 2010_. The words of condolence expressed with sincere grief as shown in the body language, captured on television, by officials of the International and Canadian committees of the Olympics effectively communicated to the members of the Georgian team the heartfelt sharing of the grief that was felt by people in Canada and all around the world.
Canadians have been acutely aware of the high expectations from our athletes in these Olympics. For more than a year promotions for “owning the podium.” have been flashed on television screens. With it is the motto, “I Believe”: Not only the athletes have been encouraged to believe in their capacities to earn the gold medal but the whole Canadian nation has been asked to rally and support the dream. It was repeatedly emphasized that Canada had not won an Olympic gold in home soil in past times when the country hosted the games. The time had come when this country had to believe that the dream can be a reality. A song was composed and popularized to make every Canadian believe that the time had arrived to win the gold on Canadian soil.
It was no surprise at all that athletes and non-athlete alike were hoping for gold on the second day of the Olympics. And Jean Heil almost got the coveted first place in the women’s moguls but an American rival beat her to it by a narrow margin. She won the silver.
The Canadians did not need to wait very long for the gold. Mogul skier Alexandre Bilodeau won the first one and declared as the crowd cheered. “There are so many golds to come. Canada is so strong right now—- The party is just starting for Canada.”
Canadians glued to their television at this moment of triumph have seen this joyous forecast come to reality in the days that followed. This is the fifteenth days of the Olympics and Canada has the top number of golds: 10, with some 7 silver and 4 bronze. There are still some more to come. Men’s hockey and men’s curling are not done yet.
As I sit here in my living room watching the various events, I have come to deeply appreciate what modern technology has brought to the world. The use of various kinds of cameras which I am sure I cannot identify has brought to all of those who are not able to go to Vancouver the utmost details of the games. Not only did technology bring the games as if one has the best seat to watch them but the commentaries of foremost previous Canadian Olympians have contributed to a better understanding of each event and a deep insight into the personalities of the athletes. Features like “The Difference Makers” by Rick Hansen have lent a very human touch to the lives of some of the athletes. The interviews with the participants, winners and losers, have given television viewers an opportunity to share in the triumphs and frustrations of the athletes.
The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics is coming to a close , but the memories, triumphant and agonizing appreciative and critical, compassionate and frustrating, will remain with us for along time, not only to those who had thousands of dollars to go to Vancouver but also with us through the fascination of modern communication. ****