I must admit that during the health challenges I’ve had this past month, I have had the luxury of roaming around the Internet, and following the Winter Olympics. I have no idea about your country’s coverage, but I certainly had been “well-fed” by our Canadian Official Network (CBC). My main interests have remained about the same … hockey, skiing, skating, luge, bobsleigh. Many of the athletes have trained at Canada Olympic Park that we drive past every time we make a trip to the city. We often see athlete when we frequent the McDonald’s (free Wi-Fi and good coffee) across the highway from the Ski Jumps.

Although commendable, there has been so much media coverage of two particular events. First, there was the Canadian coach who was near the Russian cross-country skier, when one of his skis broke. It looked like he was done, but the coach ran out to the track with a spare ski. Did he have to do that? No! His job was to encourage/coach his own skier. Here’s the story!

The second instance was in the 1000 meter speed skating event, when one skater gave up his spot to compete to another teammate who missed qualifying for the Olympic team after he fell on the final turn at the Canadian trials, thus making him only an alternate. Why? Because he thought his team mate had a better chance of winning a medal. For the whole story, click here.

I’m sure there have been other instances, but these are the ones that I became aware of, thanks to CBC. They are great stories, but for some people, integrity always trumps winning. Perhaps that is what caught the attention of the media … and unexpected event that hit so many people deep inside their heart and mind.

What do you think?

Tags: Olympics Sports News