The Olympic Games ended in Sochi, Russia on Sunday and for many, many Canadians, it was the perfect ending with Canada winning Gold in Men’s Hockey blanking Sweden 3-0 in the championship final.
I say ” perfect ending ” in light of the Harris-Decima Poll prior to the Olympics where a cross section of 1,000 Canadians indicated Canada’s ultimate measuring stick for successful participation would be a Gold in Men’s Hockey.
That response would not have been my response, but I accept fully the conclusion of the poll and the crystal clear illustration of the poll result from a spectators standpoint.
Would the bars and venues across Canada be packed at the hour that they were on Sunday morning if any country other than Canada was participating in the Championship game ?
If the Women’s Hockey team met the Americans Sunday morning at 7 am our time, would there have been such an ecstatic show of support ?
And while as Canadians we are proud of all of every medal winner in freestyle skiing, curling, short track, figure skating, speed skating, bobsleigh, alpine skiing and snowboard, no way would our perception of success be dictated by their ultimate results.
So Canada wins 25 medals, 10 Gold, most significantly in men’s hockey and virtually everyone goes home happy until 2018.
I’m Fred Wallace