I wrote this article in August 2016 and sent it to friends on email.
We just got back from Halifax and I had the chance to again walk the same ground that my grandmother, Rose, did when she arrived in Canada after the First World War. She was about 16 years old and came with her mother and younger siblings. Her father and older brothers were killed in their farm yard, in front of the family, during the war. Gramma Rose did not smile much. She was small, gentle and represented the toughness of the thousands of women who came to this country to make a better life for themselves and their future children.
Fast forward to the Rio 2016 Olympics. At one point, Canadian women had won medals in 12 Olympic events and our Canadian men had yet to find the podium. There appears to be a certain “toughness” about these Canadian women as they lead the way.
I’m not going to suggest the current Canadian women toughness compares to the hardship of the women who came before them; however, there does seem to be a level of determination around these women, especially in the swimming events. As Canadians, we do not celebrate our successes as other countries do and we almost apologize for success. Sorry, but it is true!
Every four years we get to see all our Canadian athletes compete. They train in obscurity (I doubt many knew Penny Oleksiak’s name before the Rio games) and then take the stage, not for the spotlight, but for the pure thrill of doing their personal best. Some get medals, yet the vast majority do not. I have to believe the dopers and the cheaters are in the minority and that the clean athletes do prevail, even though they do not always get a medal. There are some things higher in life than recognition of position.
I’m always impressed with the 10 meter diving. I suggested to Kathy that I would like to try the backward twisting double back flip finishing out of the pike position. Kathy thought my life jacket would get in the way! I cannot swim.
So hats off to our Canadian women and continue to cheer them on. If medals matter at all, the men will catch fire and perhaps there is a Greg Joy (Montreal 1976) or a Donavon Bailey (Atlanta 1996) just waiting to break out!
My second cup is now empty……………..
