How do you think Canada’s Olympic athletes will do in the 2008 Beijing summer games?

Question

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Answer 1

As much as I am an avid fan of the Olympics, I honestly don't expect much change from the last Summer Olympics. The government does not care much about sport on an international level to support it--it's only now that Canada is hosting the Winter Olympics in Vancouver for 2010 that the government is throwing in dollars. Private-sector support is there, whether it is RBC or McDonalds, but it take a larger effort from all levels--governments, schools, businesses, etc.--to create competitive, winning athletes.
This may slowly change as initiatives are in place in elementary schools to have physical activities on a daily basis (DPA--Daily Physical Activity). Another is an initiative to introduce swimminng and water safety for children. These steps are put in place to encourage safe, active, and healthy living, and in turn can encourage an appreciation to fitness and sport.
This system seems to be standard for the province of Quebec. If you look closely, it seems that most of the successful Canadian athletes hail from Quebec. The Canadian Olympic Committee points out that, from the efforts of Maurice Gagne, a Quebecer himself, that "Quebec athletes have won nearly 20 Olympic medals since 1980."

And here's a quote from Marc Gélinas, the COC's Director of Athlete & Community Relations, regarding the creation of a designated day for sports and physical activity by the Quebec government:

"Sport is an integral part of our culture from the grassroots level to the Olympic podium, and I am pleased to see that Minister Fournier and the Quebec government have once again taken the lead in this country in advancing sport and physical activity."

It seems that Quebec has it together when it comes to supporting sport. The rest of Canada has to step up to the plate. If not, then the same results will occur. It comes down to a mentality about the significance of sport to Canada--is there any?

You see, financial support should not happen simply for the Olympics. We should be able to see star athletes at the top of their sport, be it gymnastics, track & field, or water polo, throughout the duration of the year. It's great that rowing receives considerable amounts of funding, but why wait til one or a few athletes do "suprisingly" well to jump aboard the band-wagon in support? Isn't it apparent that support breeds success? Canada doesn't do well in field hockey on an international stage--perhaps if support was directed that way, then that could possibly change? Again, it comes down to what Canada really cares about.

In 2000, we saw what Australia did. They are similar to us: a Commonwealth nation, good economy, peacekeeping nation. Both standards of education are parallel. Yet Australia decided to breed success by working at grassroot levels to encourage sport and foster an attitude of success. Not Canada.

In 2008, look at what China will do. They have been warned about their human right practices. They have been burdened with diseases like SARS and bird-flu. Their safety and health practices, their way of living, their mortality rates may differ than Canada. But they will shine and rise as a nation, and Canadians will shake their heads and say "How can this be? But we are Canada?"

To understand is to know, and if you have high hopes for success of Canada in Beijing, then remain being optimistic. I hope for the best too, especially since I understand how things may really play out.

Answer 2

Have we not learned from the past?(speaking only on track & field)
Perdita Felicien in 2004 forecasted/guaranteed Gold medal winner 100MH(no race in hurdles/making it to the finish line) is guaranteed)
Lets not say who will/should be winning what. The athletes have enough pressure finding sponsors, paying for training, living, eating on what they can find (family, & savings) due to lack of funding from the Gov't.
another example(bad and sad as it is) When athlete does win gold we are all happy then the bad judgement on this athlete's/coach's part using drugs loses the medal and embarrasses the Country suddenly that athlete is now "that Jamaican" when a winner was a loved "Canadian"
How many people were keeping their fingers crossed/saying a prayer that in 1996 nothing happened to the Gold in the 100M by Donovan Bailey and the 4 X 100M Relay?

I hope their training is going well and to plan and that they all do well and are happy with their experience

Answer 3

First of all there is NO Hockey at the summer Olympic games, and no curling either. As usual the performance will be disappointing considering how many athletes we will be sending. The reason is that most Canada athletes are just "happy" to be there instead of being hungry to win a gold medal we are happy to compete. The psychology of our athletes is wrong. The gold medals will come from rowing, diving, and a few other individual sports. But no medals will be awarded to Canada for a team sport. As usual USA who supports there athletes financially will be at the top of the medal standings, but look for china to be a very close second.

Answer 4

It's hard to say. We Canadian do have some events that are among the best in the world. It is very important that we should support our athletes and media should play a big part in this. I'm sure all our athletes are now training hard and will do their best for Canada. I am proud of our athletes, coaches and every member of the Canadian team.

Answer 5

I'm not familiar enough with Canada's athletes in the various sports , but it looks like Canada had good results in diving, kayaking, canoe, rowing,and cycling in 2004 Olympics. These must be your traditionally strong sports.

You'll get a good idea of how Canadian athletes will do in swimming (world championships March 18TH-April 1) and Athletics ( IAAF championships ) by following the results. The athletics is from end of August to September.

Men's basketball team needs Steve Nash to play in Las Vegas Olympic qualifier for a good shot to make 2008. This takes place in August.

Too bad MLB wont allow your baseball team to have the best players ( Justin Morneau, Jason Bay, Rich Harden, Jeff Francis to name just a few) but hey you beat my country last year in the WBC. Softball team qualified I don't know enough about them if this means a shot at a medal.

Oh I almost forget FIFA Women's world cup September 10TH to September 30TH I recall a Christine Sinclair being really good could be a suprise. Predict a medal in Women's Soccer bronze or silver.

OK I hope this gave you a general idea of what to look for.

Answer 6

I believe the athletes will do well, with medals in Triathlon again, to go with our Sydney success. I think our swimmers and divers will medal in the pool.
It will be tough in most major sports because our government would rather sponsor Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan ( when they do not really belong), than help fund our national athletes.
Without proper funding no Candian should talk badly about our truly amateur athletes up against well funded professionals.
I suggest that rather than worry about winning, we concentrate on showing the world and the Chinese what good natured people we can be.
Go Canucks!!

I live in Asia so I will be there supporting our competitors and if we win medals, going crazy in the crowd.
last thought:
We just need ice hockey to be a summer Olympic sport as well!

Answer 7

Results will definitely vary from sport-to-sport. They may do very well in events like hockey, but they may not be so well versed in a sport like basketball or swimming. Also, there's still the problem of qualifying for the games themselves. The best way that they you can see how athletes are going to preform and/or finish in Beijing is to keep an eye on qualifying runs.

Answer 8

I think the Canadians will do quite well since they have improved, but i doubt they will be in the top 5 spaces since they are not as disciplined as they could be. The Chinese athletes usually have trained since they were 3 years old proving a better chance in winning...

Answer 9

I think Canada will make on the top 15 with 5 golds,3 silver, and 5 bronze medals.

Answer 10

I agree with Stephanie... there is no reasonable way to say how well we will do in the summer Olympics next year. Some athletes will crack under the pressure to be favoured for medals and others will excel because of no pressure on them.
I will be proud of ALL of athletes because they will have tried their best for this country, and we should support them no matter where they finish!