The Unity of a Country

Story by Joey Butkevich

What have the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games done for your Canadian spirit, or sports in general? Many questions will be bantered about in years to come, especially the proverbial "Where were you when Sidney Crosby scored in Vancouver?". The 2010 games have taught Canadians many valuable things, none more important than the pride that comes from living in such an amazing country.

These games mark the first time that Canada has won the most gold medals in any Olympic games (14), and it doubled the previous Olympic games in Turin, Italy (7). These games have shown and taught us humility, pride, patriotism, commitment, and unity. There have been many story lines throughout the Olympics, and many lessons that can be learned. From Joannie Rochette to Alexander Bilodeau, we have seen the Canadian way, one that combines both humility and pride. No matter your occupation, personal income, education or background - these games have united us from coast to cost, showing the world that we are a unified nation that loves the "Red and White" the way the Americans love the "Stars and Stripes."

No need to look any further than North Bay itself, albeit slowly, we certainly warmed up fast and supported our athletes, most notably Steve Omischl. It is amazing what sport can do for the spirit within a family, community, and nation. How many times did you feel goosebumps throughout your body, especially when our national anthem played. Canada is easily identified as a country that lives, breathes, and dies by hockey, but the 2010 games have brought together everyone in our fair country - in a way that has never been seen. Like Brian Williams stated during the closing ceremonies: "Our pride has always been there, we've just waited for a moment to show it."

The timing of these games could not have come at a better time, and with the recent recovery from economic problems, the spirit of sport has helped raise our spirits. And for a brief period of time, many Canadians pushed aside their personal lives, and stood tall, as we supported and cheered on all of our Canadian Athletes.

How many individuals were not left checking their heartbeat when Alex Bilodeau won Canada's first gold medal on home soil? How many Canadians can say they had a set of dry eye sockets when Joannie Rochette completed her short-program? Or, who can say that they did not jump around their living-room, favourite watering-hole, or friends basement when Crosby scored? These games left every Canadian with something to believe in, and something to identify our patriotism with.

No longer are Canadians left in the backseat watching other countries thrive on the International sports scene, we are now able to compete with every nation, especially with recent contributions from our Governments. For a two- week period of time, Canada has been able to show the world what we are all about. I for one can admit, I openly had my doubts and displeasures of the early progressions in these games, but our athletes certainly know how to close a party out.

The ability to walk down any street and see individuals wearing Canadian toques, mittens, sweaters, school bags; or the ability to overhear a Canadian refer to winning a medal as "WE won another medal," is something to remember. These games have brought both Canadian athletes and fans together for a two week period, one that showed us the spirit that lives inside each and everyone of us. For every athlete who lived on minimal Government funding, trained through injuries, or wore the Canadian maple leaf with pride, WE thank you. WE now believe!