Cdn. Olympic athletes decline flag bearer role

[tinman_22]

So just how pathetic is this?

Cdn. Olympic athletes decline flag bearer role

"A number of Canada's star athletes have refused to carry the country's flag at the opening ceremonies for the Turin Olympics, saying they prefer to focus on their performance instead of taking on extra work."

[Mischief007]

That's just sad. Looks like they aren't proud of their country.

I'm waving my Polish flag during the World Cup ;).

[Paul Stanway Jr]

Maybe the ones that turned down the opportunity to carry the Canadian flag should be dumped from the Canadian Olympic team.

[Mouse]

Maybe the ones asked would rather carry this flag?http://anuj.nomadlife.org/quebec%20flag.jpg

[tinman_22]

A few of those asked and their reasons:

"Beckie Scott, Canada's most famous cross-country skier, has a difficult race less than 48 hours after the ceremonies and has no desire to burn an ounce of energy doing anything other than competing." (wow almost 2 days later, I know I'd be exhausted)

"Bobsledding World champion Pierre Lueders, also citing the need to concentrate completely on competition, asked that his federation withhold his name from consideration."

"Speed skating stars Cindy Klassen and Clara Hughes also asked that their names not be put forward."

"The Canadian Curling Association has nominated veteran Russ Howard, who is a member of Brad Gushue's rink that will compete at the Games. "It's great to have such support but I'm just trying to focus on curling," says Howard. "They should pick Wayne Gretzky or somebody like that." (I guess I just don't understand the physically taxing nature of curling)

I think I'll show these particular athletes all the support they deserve....none.

[debbie]

I'll do it! Who do I call? :d

[T_Totler]

I'll do it! Who do I call? :d
1-800-ILLDOIT :d

[Mischief007]

These are lame excuses. The government is trying their hardest to get these athletes to the Olympics and make sure they have a chance at competing and they won't even carry their flag?? Right now they don't deserve any respect. If that duty were to be bestowed upon me, I'd gladly take it.

I thought they were proud to be Canadians. Maybe like MouseMeat said, they'd rather carry the Quebec flag :rrg:

[Pestilent]

Maybe the ones asked would rather carry this flag?http://anuj.nomadlife.org/quebec%20flag.jpg
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Pestilent]

Le May Doan said she was ''shocked by his words.''
''To me those are very un-Canadian words,'' she said. ''Don Cherry obviously does not understand the passion and the dedication that Canadian athletes have towards representing their country and going to the Olympics Games.
''I don't believe he has ever represented Canada and I think that he should actually give all Canadian athletes an apology.''


First of all, should it not be an HONOR to represent your country at the olympics and want to proudly display the country you are representing???

Secondly, regardless of how much "energy" it takes away from you personally, it is not as if it is at a disadvantage.....EVERY country is doing the same thing.

Thirdly, by not doing so (in regards to not wasting energy) what they are saying is that, in some respects, want an advantage over the other countries.

Lastly, how much energy can you waste 48 hours before your event??? Do they not sleep to replenish their energy? Will they not be training right up to the point of the event? Or do they train here, then lounge around for the next 3 or 4 days till they have to participate?

Then comes the snowball effect.....more and more countries will feel the same way, and in turn ALL opening ceremonies will be halted. This should be manditory for all countries to PROUDLY display to country you represent. Could you imagine if Canadian soldiers that fought for our country simply did not want to fight certain days because they did not want to waste any "energy"?

Doan, regardless of her medal status, should be tarred and feathered for even suggesting she agrees with what is happening here.

[Pestilent]

These are lame excuses. The government is trying their hardest to get these athletes to the Olympics and make sure they have a chance at competing and they won't even carry their flag?? Right now they don't deserve any respect. If that duty were to be bestowed upon me, I'd gladly take it.

I thought they were proud to be Canadians. Maybe like MouseMeat said, they'd rather carry the Quebec flag :rrg:

Well that prolly came from the Nagano incident....where a reporter stated that separatists should not carry a canadian flag.

[tinman_22]

This is not a Canada versus a Separatist issue and to suggest that it is is disparaging to all, this is an issue of atheletes representing Canada or representing themselves. How's this for a suggestion. All atheletes are required to at least walk into the stadium as part of the opening ceremony and honour their country in this fashion. The flag would be carried by an honourary member of the team i.e. perhaps a past athletic representative. Anyone refusing to participate at this level loses future funding and eligability to represent Canada in the future.

[BillD]

This is a tempest in a teapot. The opening ceremonies are a made for TV event, and have little to do with the olympics. It is a taxing job that requires time and effort, with run throughs. It would be best for someone competing in the second week to do it. It may be a little disappointing to us and appear that the athletes don't care about their country, but I don't believe that to be the case. It is easy for us sitting here in front of our computers to criticize someone who has devoted their every waking moment to their sport, for a once in a lifetime oppurtunity (in some cases). If I was to respect one opinion on this it would be Lemay Doan's, who has been there and carried the flag, not Don Cherry's, whose biggest accomplishment is shooting off his mouth. The bottom line is, someone will carry the flag, and personally, I don't care who it is.

[tinman_22]

Agreed, the opening ceremonies are a made for TV event, but so are the modern olympics in their entirety. Without TV it's likely they wouldn't exist; it's ego stroking at the national level. As for Catriona Le May Doan, she was a Gold-medal winning speed skater and Canada's flag-bearer at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, so she appears to be standing to defend her fellow athletes which is commendable but perhaps a little odd given her choice 4 years ago. As for Don Cherry, well he's Don Cherry.

[debbie]

1-800-ILLDOIT :dlolol :d

[Ziggaa]

athletes are funny that way....lately its been bad luck to carry the flag at the olympics...in the past they have given the flag to "sure" shot gold athletes who have completly bailed when it came time to perform.....This is simply athletes being superstitious and i'm sure they are not trying to insult anyone. Just give it to a coach or something....I care not who carries the flag.....as long as someone does.......go Team Canada

[T_Totler]

Let Stephen Harper do it :ntm: :d

[Ziggaa]

I'd rather Layton?

[T_Totler]

I'd rather Layton?
How about Don Cherry? :d

[spaminator]

couldn't they at least carry smaller, lighter canadian flags? :(

http://tony.dowler.com/uploaded_images/Canadian%20flag%20superman-705114.jpg

[Taz]

I agree with BillD, I would believe not 1 of us here knows what it's like to devote countless hours and many years of ones life to a sport at the hope of oneday becoming an Olympic medalist. As he said for many this is their one and only shot and they want to put 110% of their efforts into competing. I think having one of last years Olympic medalists (non competeing) carry the flag would be a better idea.

[Pestilent]

This is a tempest in a teapot. The opening ceremonies are a made for TV event, and have little to do with the olympics.

So how does your theory rule when the 1936 olympics arrived???? Made for TV ceremony???

[Pestilent]

Doan, she was a Gold-medal winning speed skater and Canada's flag-bearer at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.

Exactly....she carried the flag AND won a gold. So what is all the whining about??? Especially when the comments from her.......it becomes hypocritical. For her to say the ceremonies takes a lot out of you AND wins the GOLD.....Ladies and Gentlemen.....it just makes no sense.

[Walter]

Why is who carries the flag such a big issue?

[Just Doug1]

I would think that the question the media should be pondering is; "Would any of those kids, who have given much of their youth to training for this, be unwilling to carry the flag of Canada to celebrate giving their best for their country on the day of their event?"

That I doubt.

[Pestilent]

Why is who carries the flag such a big issue?

It should be an honor to even have this presented to them. You train on our soil, you wear our name on your clothes, you want our funding, you want our support........you should be thrilled with this opportunity. Walter, you of all people should understand that.....especially from a patriotic aspect. I think it is disrespectful to have said what was said regarding why they do not want to carry it.

[Ziggaa]

they are free to refuse for what ever reasons they feel are warrented....someone will carry the flag which is all that matters. We need to start repecting peoples choices and stop forcing our opinions into black and white issues .........These people have given 20+ years of training to represent our country......lets give them the respect they deserve and not question thier patriotism......Good luck to team Canada...and sure...Don Cherry can carry the flag....woot

[Bogie]

Frankly, I am appauled by such "refusal" behaviour. They should be fighting for the privilege to carry the flag. The Olympics is where each country proudly displays their best amateur athletes - and taxpayer dollars are part of that funding. Many of those athletes prosper for years afterwards because of the privilege of representing their country. Reminds me of spoiled children in a rich family.

[Pestilent]

Frankly, I am appauled by such "refusal" behaviour. They should be fighting for the privilege to carry the flag. The Olympics is where each country proudly displays their best amateur athletes - and taxpayer dollars are part of that funding. Many of those athletes prosper for years afterwards because of the privilege of representing their country. Reminds me of spoiled children in a rich family.
Well said and could not be further from the truth

[Ziggaa]

Frankly, I am appauled by such "refusal" behaviour. They should be fighting for the privilege to carry the flag. The Olympics is where each country proudly displays their best amateur athletes - and taxpayer dollars are part of that funding. Many of those athletes prosper for years afterwards because of the privilege of representing their country. Reminds me of spoiled children in a rich family.


the only athletes that prosper are a very rare few....and only in selected high profile sports......I'm sure the Canadian boys and girls in the luge will argue they will benefit greatly after the olypics are done.....I do agree with you....I think it is an honour to represent your country and a great priviliage to hold your flag but if you don't want to for what ever reason...you certainly should not be punished as has been sugested in this thread.......After all this is Canada isn't it......a demorcatic nation? The attention and anger that this topic is getting is very sad...

[Bogie]

I notice that this thread did not carry the link to the news story being "quoted".

Here it is from CBC (http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/stories/headlines.shtml?/story/olympics/national/2006/01/18/Sports/canada-flagbearer060118.html)

In all fairness, it should be read by those who comment. That said, and after review of the news article, I stand by my comments. Noting, though, that the official list of nominees hasn't been completed yet.

If all athletes, from all countries did this, the impact, internationally, of the Olympics would diminish greatly. Watch the enthusiasm of athletes from the smaller countries - it is inspiring and admirable. The "news" that some of Canada's athletes do not want the honour, because "it will hurt their performance", does not say much for our national pride. It also does not speak well for good sportsmanship. "It not if you win the game, but rather how you play it."

I am sure this isn't the first time this has happened, and the negative comments should have stayed private within the Canadian Olympic "team" - not published for the world to see and comment. Unlike the days of past Olympic games, the Internet has changed the way we receive our news - and the instantaneous nature of that news.

Whoever is in charge of marketing "Team Canada" to the world must be running crazy doing damage control.

[Walter]

It should be an honor to even have this presented to them. You train on our soil, you wear our name on your clothes, you want our funding, you want our support........you should be thrilled with this opportunity. Walter, you of all people should understand that.....especially from a patriotic aspect. I think it is disrespectful to have said what was said regarding why they do not want to carry it.

Personally I would feel honored to be asked to carry our flag even if it was only in our local Santa Claus parade but the Olympics has lost much of it's lustre and principles and is rife with scandals so personally I would not rate it as high as the Santa Claus parade. The individual athletes and their families make tremendous sacrifices and get virtually no recognition except at major matches so I will cut them a little slack on this issue.

[Nave]

If i were in curling i would jump at the chance to carry the flag, it may be the only way you'd get recognized outside of the sports fan base. Other than that i have to agree with Ziggaa on this. In the end its their lifes dream to be in this and only getting one small chance at showing your skills in a 4 year window, i wouldnt want to chance very much. I mean i know its important to carry the flag but for what ever reason if they dont want to they dont have to. I would be much prouder if we didnt carry the flag and won medals than if we had a flag and did crappy... there isnt a proven relationship there but hey, why chance it.

And as for the opening ceremonies of the 1936 olympics.... Im sure it wasnt as grandure as it was now.
I respect there opinion but would like to see somebod carry the flag, ill vote for debbie

[Mischief007]

The government should stop funding them if they refuse to carry the flag. Be proud of the country that gives you a chance to go to the Olympics. I know it can't be cheap.

[Glen]

Getting back to the flag flap, I found it interesting that they picked Le May Doan to interview Danielle Goyette after she carried the flag for Canada. Goyette is 40 years of age and has her first game the day after the ceremonies. I guess hockey just isn't as taxing on your body as other events like bobsledding.

[BillD]

Leuddeers and his 2 man partner were in St Moritz and missed it entirely. Hockey is a team sport and is spread out over the 2 weeks. Individual events are quite different, with no second chances. Brian Stemmle was on Derringer yesterday, and his comment was that you have to be totally focused at the Olympics, and anyone who isn't will not win. You can not afford to fall prey to the distractions. He also said that anyone who was there for "the Olympic experience" was sure to lose. The athletes are focussed on medals, as we expect them to be. Personally, I could care less who carries the flag, and I now understand why an individual wouldn't want to. Our first medalist (gold), Heil, has spent 4 years focussed on the Olympics; the result is the first ever medal for a woman in aerial skiing. I don't think the athletes are not proud to be Canadians, they are just focussed on giving their best for their country and sport.

[Paul Stanway Jr]

The government should stop funding them if they refuse to carry the flag. Be proud of the country that gives you a chance to go to the Olympics. I know it can't be cheap.

I completely agree!

[Rustynut]

The government should stop funding them if they refuse to carry the flag. Be proud of the country that gives you a chance to go to the Olympics. I know it can't be cheap.
Agreed, they should also be snubbed upon return.