Sunday morning was a great day for Canadian
Athletes as the Olympic Games came to a close. As I went about getting ready for
my day, I found myself strangely transfixed by the Marathon. Then, as the
screen split into two and CBC began broadcasting the closing press conference
of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), I found the words of the President of
the COC, Tricia Smith, almost as engaging. Smith has been a strong spokesperson
for sport in Canada and her words from Rio were effusive and inspiring. She had
praise for the many podium appearances of Canadian athletes and noted how successful
Team Canada had been; but her praise was not just for those who won medals. Her
speech made note of the many athletes who had shown great determination and integrity.
She highlighted athletes such as Evan Dunfee, the Racewalker who came in tenth
in the 20 km Walk and fourth in the 50 km Walk. Dunfee showed great respect for his fellow-athletes as, in one case, he encouraged the French Racewalker who struggled
to complete the race. Then, in an act of sportsmanship, Dunfee did not challenge the
50 km Walk results after the Japanese athlete, Hirooki Arai, bumped Dunfee. Officials
considered disqualifying the Japanese Bronze Medalist. Later, Dunfee and Arai happily posed for a photo together.
Athletes as the Olympic Games came to a close. As I went about getting ready for
my day, I found myself strangely transfixed by the Marathon. Then, as the
screen split into two and CBC began broadcasting the closing press conference
of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), I found the words of the President of
the COC, Tricia Smith, almost as engaging. Smith has been a strong spokesperson
for sport in Canada and her words from Rio were effusive and inspiring. She had
praise for the many podium appearances of Canadian athletes and noted how successful
Team Canada had been; but her praise was not just for those who won medals. Her
speech made note of the many athletes who had shown great determination and integrity.
She highlighted athletes such as Evan Dunfee, the Racewalker who came in tenth
in the 20 km Walk and fourth in the 50 km Walk. Dunfee showed great respect for his fellow-athletes as, in one case, he encouraged the French Racewalker who struggled
to complete the race. Then, in an act of sportsmanship, Dunfee did not challenge the
50 km Walk results after the Japanese athlete, Hirooki Arai, bumped Dunfee. Officials
considered disqualifying the Japanese Bronze Medalist. Later, Dunfee and Arai happily posed for a photo together.
Meanwhile, Eric Gillis, in a race dominated
by Kenyan and Ethiopian Athletes, came in tenth in the grueling Olympic
Marathon. Top ten showings in international competitions are one measurement of
an athlete’s success and are rightly considered a mark of excellence. This was
an amazing success for a Canadian marathoner, and coupled with an American
Bronze medal in this sport, bodes well for western marathoners in a sport that
has largely been about the competition between African athletes.
by Kenyan and Ethiopian Athletes, came in tenth in the grueling Olympic
Marathon. Top ten showings in international competitions are one measurement of
an athlete’s success and are rightly considered a mark of excellence. This was
an amazing success for a Canadian marathoner, and coupled with an American
Bronze medal in this sport, bodes well for western marathoners in a sport that
has largely been about the competition between African athletes.
As the Marathon reached the 42 km mark, Tricia
Smith also spoke of the values that have led to a successful Olympics for the
Canadian team. She spelled it out in four points that would make a preacher
proud.
Smith also spoke of the values that have led to a successful Olympics for the
Canadian team. She spelled it out in four points that would make a preacher
proud.
Heart – as a synonym for determination,
Canadian Olympic athletes show great “heart” in both training for, and
competing in, the games.
Canadian Olympic athletes show great “heart” in both training for, and
competing in, the games.
Integrity – Evan Dunfee spoke of his team-mates
and other international race-walkers with whom he trains who choose to compete
clean in a sport that is sometimes marred by doping. He challenges the entire
Olympic community with his commitment to integrity.
and other international race-walkers with whom he trains who choose to compete
clean in a sport that is sometimes marred by doping. He challenges the entire
Olympic community with his commitment to integrity.
Respect – Canadian athletes made us proud
with their respect for world-class athletes from around the world. They cheered
for each other and cheered for the best qualities of athletes from other
countries. They behaved themselves in Rio and made us all proud.
with their respect for world-class athletes from around the world. They cheered
for each other and cheered for the best qualities of athletes from other
countries. They behaved themselves in Rio and made us all proud.
Team – Smith also gave a strong affirmation
to teamwork as she noted the strength that is apparent as one person rises to the
challenge when another is having an off day. She emphasised that sport is about
being a team in every sense of the word.
to teamwork as she noted the strength that is apparent as one person rises to the
challenge when another is having an off day. She emphasised that sport is about
being a team in every sense of the word.
Both the athletic competitions and Smith’s
words give Canadians a sense of pride as we seek to be a country where great
results and great humility are celebrated. Smith continues to show her commitment
to the ideals of sport which she addressed on the day she was chosen as the
President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. Her words on that day are a
bookend to her words on August 21, 2016.
words give Canadians a sense of pride as we seek to be a country where great
results and great humility are celebrated. Smith continues to show her commitment
to the ideals of sport which she addressed on the day she was chosen as the
President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. Her words on that day are a
bookend to her words on August 21, 2016.
“I feel enormously
privileged and grateful that our sport community has entrusted me today with
the leadership of the COC. It’s an honour I accept with pride and gratitude at
a time when the eyes of the country are upon us. Based on my platform, this
endorsement sends a clear message that our members embrace the values of sport
and expect integrity. I will be a champion for creating a safe and inclusive
environment for our employees and all those involved in the Olympic Movement in
this country. I will be a tireless advocate for unity, inclusiveness and
collaboration with our many partners. We now enter an Olympic year with great
excitement and anticipation. We must be at our best. We will do everything in
our power to ensure we create an optimal environment for Rio 2016, so our
athletes and coaches can be the very best they can be.” – Tricia Smith,
President of the Canadian Olympic Committee (November 22, 2015)
privileged and grateful that our sport community has entrusted me today with
the leadership of the COC. It’s an honour I accept with pride and gratitude at
a time when the eyes of the country are upon us. Based on my platform, this
endorsement sends a clear message that our members embrace the values of sport
and expect integrity. I will be a champion for creating a safe and inclusive
environment for our employees and all those involved in the Olympic Movement in
this country. I will be a tireless advocate for unity, inclusiveness and
collaboration with our many partners. We now enter an Olympic year with great
excitement and anticipation. We must be at our best. We will do everything in
our power to ensure we create an optimal environment for Rio 2016, so our
athletes and coaches can be the very best they can be.” – Tricia Smith,
President of the Canadian Olympic Committee (November 22, 2015)