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Beijing medal rush

Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 12:56 PM EST 19/08/08

Canada's Olympians eclipse 2004 Athens Games medal count; Lopes-Schliep takes bronze in the hurdles for first women's track medal since 1996 ...Read the full article

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  1. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Priscilla Lopes-Schliep's comeback in this race after a bad start was incredible. Great job. So glad Canada has at least one medal in athletics. Congratulations Priscilla.
  2. GlobeandMail Reader from Canada writes: Canada just got another silver: 3-meter spring board diving. Cool!
  3. Matt O from Toronto, Ontario, Canada writes: Well, I'm going to miss to Togo jokes. Some were pretty clever...

    We were missing 'surpise' medals in Athens, except for Shewfelt's. Looks like we're getting more here. Nice to see.
  4. Rene L from Somewhere, Canada writes: Things are finally going Canada's way... wonder where all the posters saying Canada is a nation of losers are at this moment ( those were brutal comments last week)?

    Go Canada Go!!! You make us proud!
  5. robin mclay from Ottawa, Canada writes: Just wondering how our medal counts adds up against the Globe & Mail's pre- olympics prediction poll
  6. El Gran Chico from Etobicoke, Canada writes: What an amazing race the hurdles was! With a few hurdles to go, I thought Priscilla was going to be last, and seconds later I thought she had silver.

    And seeing how excited she was after seeing her bronze posted on the scoreboard is one of the things I like about sports.
  7. Chris Lalonde from Singapore writes: Congrats Priscilla!!!
  8. L.B. MURRAY from !! from Canada writes: Bravo, bravo, Alexandre Despatie. Bravo, bravo, it's quite an accomplishment to face the Chinese, the Americans, the Italians, the Russians, and get a Silver Medal in Diving...

    Quite an accomplishment considering the competition where all other countries mentioned above support their athletes as soon as they show signs of talent in their earliest years. Here in Canada, a very large country with a small population, there's very little money and very few young athletes eager and willing to sacrifice their pre-teen and teenage years, training and training and training, especially when the parents are just average people who simply cannot afford paying for coaches, travel to competitions, and the rest....

    Those obnoxious people who criticize and diss our Canadian team at the Olympics had better take a second look and better still, just try to excel at one single sport... try diving, try horseback riding, try playing tennis and see how hard it is to reach even Level I...or try kayaking or canoeing in those turbulent waters...

    Thanks again Alexandre in diving, Ian in equestrian, and all the others who have spent so many years and sweat and tears training for the Olympics.

    -
  9. Darwin Rocks from Canada writes: I saw Whitfield's race yesterday (even stayed up to the end) and WOW! What a great finish!

    I can't wait to see the highlights of the diving, mens trampoline and the 100m hurdles tonight. Should be fun!

    I am happy that we are winning medals now but I will repeat what I posted last week. If people want Canada to win there has to be adequate funding for it. Plain and simple. Medals cost money. In fact it is a testament to the dedication and determination of our athletes to make it to the Olympics and succeed in spite of the lack of funding compared to other countries.

    Go Canada Go Indeed!!
  10. Howard Roark from Whitby, Canada writes: Congrats to a hometown girl!

    Where are all the sullen posters from last week, saying we are not spending enough on sporting in Canada? Right.....gone back to Liberal party HQ, to see what other subject they can shank the government on.

    I am proud of our athletes, and I think the level of funding provided by the successive Liberal and Conservative governments is quite sufficient. Add in our Winter Olympic medal count (3rd place in Torino), and we are easily comparable to Australia, even UK.
  11. Sean O'Reilly from Kitchener, Canada writes: I wonder what the media is to do with all this success we are having right now? They are going to need to dig deep to find something negative, they always find a way though!

    Congrats to all our athletes, you do us proud even with the appalling lack of corporate support.
  12. A Chinaman from Canada writes: After all, we are doing pretty well!
    Congrats to all our athletes! Don't complain and work hard - that is the Canadian spirit!
  13. B Lam from Canada writes: L.B. MURRAY from !! from Canada writes: Bravo, bravo, Alexandre Despatie. Bravo, bravo, it's quite an accomplishment to face the Chinese, the Americans, the Italians, the Russians, and get a Silver Medal in Diving...

    Quite an accomplishment considering the competition where all other countries mentioned above support their athletes as soon as they show signs of talent in their earliest years.

    __________________________

    FYI, the 21 year old 3m springboard diving gold medalist from China started diving just 3 years ago when he was 18.
  14. desiderio manzanal jr from laval, Canada writes: Great silver for Despatie...considering the level of competition a big congratulation is deserved.
  15. Another Opinion from Canada writes: My most sincere congratulations to our athletes. It was a slow start, but they took our doubts and our cynicism and they proceeded to choke the life out of them and grind them under foot.

    With a number of boat events remaining, we're solidly among the top medal winning teams at these games. I'm very proud of all our nation's representatives.

    Winners, one and all!

    GO CANADA GO!
  16. J. Kenneth Yurchuk from Toronto, Canada writes: Howard, I'd prefer to keep politics out of the the olympic equation. I feel that more support, both corporate and government is needed. Australia is a good example of what can be accomplished with strong support. The US has their college athletic system to continue rolling out talented athletes.

    Canada is having an excellent year (week) but with better coaching and training facilities a lot of these P.B's would translate into medals.

    Look at what the facilities at Calgary have done for our Winter Olympians! It really does make a difference.
  17. Planete Quebec from Canada writes: Hello? Where is BC's Premier? Do we need more public funding for athletes now? And where is all that media alarmism about Canada's poor performance? Hellooo?
  18. Wally Grisold from Toronto, Canada writes: Congrats to all of the Medal winners. I hope that this will shut the big mouth of Bob McCown at the Fan 590. By the way Bob, what ever happened to Prime Time Bobcat (the pacer).
  19. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: Considering the relative populations of Canada, the U.S., and China, we are doing very well so far, especially if one factors in the anomaly that is Mr. Phelps, who personally accounts for more than one-tenth of the U.S. medal take.
  20. joseph Cheng from Toronto, Canada writes: L.B. MURRAY from !! from Canada writes:........ Here in Canada, a very large country with a small population, there's very little money and very few young athletes eager and willing to sacrifice their pre-teen and teenage years, training and training and training, especially when the parents are just average people who simply cannot afford paying for coaches, travel to competitions, and the rest......................................
    __________________________________________________
    L.B. Murray: Here in Canada, whether we like it or not, if you ask most of our youngsters to sacrifice their preteen and teenage years to do competitive swimming or track, most would just laugh at you. They all want to play hockey where they can find glory and money. So do the parents of these preteen and teens. Very rarely, you hear a mom or dad would be willing to get up at 5AM to drive their kids to the pool. But you do find plenty who are more than willing to get up at 4AM to drive their kids to the rink. I salute our medal winning Olympians. They truly deserve what they have won and all the accolades that come their way.
  21. CallofDuty . from Toronto, Canada writes: Considering how many people compete for USA, China, etc, we are doing pretty good, as well since our Olympic program isn't as strong as there and we have such a small population.
  22. Northern Dancer from Pickering, Canada writes: Ms. Priscilla makes us all proud here in the region east of Toronto.
  23. P cheng from ottawa, Canada writes: Go Canada go! There will be at least a few more to come from canoeing and others.
  24. terry ludtke from red dog, writes: awesome day for canada. Whitfields race was great, cool to be back on track. GREAT JOB ATHLETES....
  25. Ballin Munson from toronto, Canada writes: diane marie the L.A. times ran a medals per pop statistic a few days ago, and no, we do not do well. Australian, and 10 others (last count) have a far superior performance.

    What does make sense is a better coaching, selection, and coordiantion program.

    One analysis indicated that Canada had a 15- 20% conversion rate of 'world champs' That is, if a Canadian was say world champ at 1,500 meters in running, for some reason, he/she could only convert that to a medal of any colour 15% of the time, during an Olympic year. Germans, Australians, Americans etc. do it up to 60% of the time. I believe the international average was 40%.

    The talent is there, mental toughness, coaching etc., is spotty in Canada.

    I wonder how many of the posters these days, are the same ones who were saying 'personal Bests' are good enough, last week.

    we should not have to send cannon fodder for the first week, and have to wait for the last half of the games in order to cheer. WE SHOULD BE DOING THIS (AND HAVE A REASON TO) EVERY DAY OF THE OLYMPICS.
  26. Tim Cares from Canada writes: Congratulations to the athletes but let's not get too carried away.
    The Australians have many more than us and they have a smaller population.
    What we are doing is meeting the COC's pre-Olympic prediction, not setting the world on fire.
  27. uncle rukus from Mississauga, Canada writes: Wow 13 medals and you guys are ready to have a celebration huh? Congrats to all the medal winners of the last few days I still hope this does not stop the need to improve on the results from the first 6 days. Build a center of excellence in Victoria as it seems something they are doing there is working and spurred this Canadian medal momentum.
  28. Lance zhu from Kingston, Canada writes: They look great with Canada Flag flying high and proud... Go Canada, Go!
  29. O Canada from Canada writes: Priscilla Lopes-Schliep's bronze - golden! She was so thrilled. It was wonderful to watch.

    Diane Marie: I agree. I don't think we take our size into consideration most of the time. It is true that Australia is smaller but they don't do well in the Winter Olympics. We expect a high haul in both Olympics and this is just so unrealistic. The US barely exceeded our medals in the Winter Olympics and they are 10x larger in population. 30 million just can't do it all.


    I'm happy for all of our athletes and to those who won gold and, what the British press call minor medals :-) (how depressing for their minor athletes) , you are all winners for us in Canada who are amazed by your strength, dedication and spirit.
  30. Paul, Bytown, from Canada writes: Another great day.

    1. Whitfield should be our flag bearer for the closing ceremony. He gave a super human performance.

    2. In the 100m, the 3 Jamaicans won gold and 2 silvers since they had the same time. Why didn't Priscilla get a silver if she had the same time as the silver medalist?

    3. Jason Burnett was robbed in the men's trampoline by the judges. He had a higher degree of difficulty and performed a near flawless routine. The Chinese guy had a lower degree of difficulty, travelled more and went out of bounce. But still won the gold. Pure B.S.
  31. Negy H from Toronto, Canada writes: Any news about the 'pollution' and 'smog' in Beijing recently? It looks like all the pollution news before were opinions instead of facts.
  32. Ballin Munson from toronto, Canada writes: Oh Canada.

    The US with 300,000,000 is only 8.5 to 9 times the size of Canada, 33.3 million not an inconsequential difference from the urban legend of 10x.

    This 10X business is soooooooo outdated...
  33. Toxic Planet from dead zone USA, Canada writes:
    Interesting that the most corrupt and evil countries, the USA and China are hoarding the most gold and silver medals, as well they would have the most cheating athletes winning by using performance enhancing drugs and getting away with it, this speaks volumes on the level of corruption.
  34. I learned from that from Toronto, Canada writes: As my late Dad used to say, all things come to those who wait (and have done their homework).

    Team Canada's slow start did not bother me. I knew our athletes would, overall, do well. Also, for those who did not get to the podium, I know that they did their best and that is all anyone can ask for. They too are great Olympic athletes!!

    Go, Canada, GO!!

    I'm proud to be Canadian!!
  35. Jan Triska from Ottawa, Canada writes: Simon Whitfield raced a fantastic race. Triathlon is one of the most difficult sports around, it's not like making one jump or running for 10 seconds, it's nearly two hours of effort and pain, racing three connected events. I know it and have done a few of them in the past and can tell you - the competition today is unbelievable. In the men's race, it's very tough for Canadians in the field dominated largely by Europeans and Aussies who tend to have better training conditions and generally more support for what is a difficult, time-consuming sport.
    So, no disrespect to any other athletes - their accomplishments are special, too - but Whitfield's improbable comeback and silver medal finish will probably be seen as Canada's finest moment of these games. It's not like Simon was coming in as a favourite, he was just one of many very fast guys. And he seized the day.
  36. Brenton E. from Canada writes: Toxic Planet from dead zone USA, Canada writes:
    Interesting that the most corrupt and evil countries, the USA and China are hoarding the most gold and silver medals, as well they would have the most cheating athletes winning by using performance enhancing drugs and getting away with it, this speaks volumes on the level of corruption.
    ---------
    aren't we just a blissful bag of joy today!
  37. tommycycle w from Vancouver, Canada writes: wow Toxic Planet, that's one broad brush you're using. I'll bet you need both hands to lift it!
  38. I'm Canadian from Canada writes: Beautiful picture.

    The genuine congradulations and respects sharing among the athletes of different countries always moves me.

    This is what Olympic is all about.
  39. B W from Canada writes: that was one of the most exiting races ever. places 2-6 were all separated by 2 hundredths of a second. I loved Priscilla's reaction. great job!
  40. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: How one feels about matters such as this comes down to the glass-half-full versus glass-half-empty world views, not to mention to what extent one views Olympic athletes as one's patriotic agents. Olympic prowess is just one more proof of existing or aspiring sole-superpower status, the struggling to maintain or pursuit of which Canada will never be troubled by (fortunately).
  41. Tim Bryson from Claresholm, AB., Canada writes: The negative nellies are still out here, posting away. You folks are pathetic. The performance of our athletes has been tremendous from day 1. Now, the team is being rewarded by medals, which rightfully gets everyone jacked up. As a comparison, my daughter swam at the recent provincial summer swim championships. She went into the breaststroke final seeded 5th, about 1.1 secoinds out of 3rd. She swam the race of her life, taking a second off her PB (yes, I consider PB's to be important, having been a longtime T&F athlete in my day and having kids in timed sports as a parent). She missed a bronze by .08 seconds to the girl who was seeded 3rd. She is also at the bottom end of her age group. Her youth makes the performance all the better (yes, the age and lack of experience of an athlete matters). Using the standards set by our guardians of excellence on the GM forums, however, she failed becasue she didn't live up to the expectations of some slob on a keyboard. Now I ask the nattering nabobs of negativity, be they in air conditioned media salons or on couches all over Canada, was her performance a failure? She attained her goal of taking significant time off her race when it counted. In the pool, you can't control what another athlete does. She was thrilled by her performance. I was thrilled. Her coach was thrilled. It doesn't get much better than that. Of coarse, that perspective is from one who is imersed in a sport, as opposed to the true losers out there who think that getting up off the couch makes gives them ANY sense of what any athlete goes through to reach their goals, be it swimming very fast at a provincial championships, or at the olympics. GO CANADA!!! You guys have done us proud from day 1!!
  42. Thomas Morris from New York, NY, United States writes: Canada - the land of excuses. But I do like how you use the fact that the USA is 10 more populated when it makes your performance look 'better' - but I don't see you making the same comparision when you consider crime, health, jobs,...... Sure these can be measured in percentages - but at some point overall numbers play a role.
  43. Toxic Planet from dead zone USA, Canada writes: China and USA are evil and corrupt, I dont need a broad brush to say that, and I will say it, I call it as I see it. If it makes you feel better Canada is corrupt also but maybe not so much as China and the USA.
  44. Tim Bryson from Claresholm, AB., Canada writes: Uncle rukas...give it a rest with the cynicism about the medal count...how many would suffice for you right now? How many would make you proud of you country's athletes? A week ago, you were likely complaing at the 'losers' we were sending over, now, 13 medals in 5 days isn't quite good enough.

    I do agree with your point about a centre of excellence in Victoria. Look what the oval in Calgary has done for speedskating. Victoria allows the athlete to be on the water for more of the year than any other place in Canada.

    Paul, I saw the photo of the hurdle finish. You could see a clear , if tiny gap between the runners, despite the time that was the same to the 100th. I didn't see the 100 sprint photo, but I suspect that was impossible to separate the two athletes. That would account for the different results.

    How about Ian Miller as a flag bearer for the closing ceremonies? Ten olympic teams and finally a medal at age 61!!
  45. Duncan McCockenue from Canada writes: What's with people comparing our SUMMER medal count with Australia's?! They basically never see snow! How about comparing SUMMER/WINTER totals with Australia and see how we measure up! Dammit... we get summer here for 4 months!
  46. Hugo Hall from Calgary, Canada writes: Indeed, some great results from our olympians! Whitfield's performance in particular was an inspirational come-from-behind, herculean effort at a point where all hope seemed lost. The Mrs. and I were on our feet cheering during that last stretch.

    The Olympics are a time for all Canadians to put aside our petty regional and political differences, and stand proudly behind our hardworking athletes.
  47. Tim Bryson from Claresholm, AB., Canada writes: Thomas Morris...I don't get your point. What excuses? I don't give a crap about the lack of medals in the pool early; our swim team is very young and it made great progress. The simple fact is we don't have an athletic factory like the NCAA. We do need more centres of excellence, like the one we have for speedskating in Calgary. Hopefully, one can get started in Victoria, BC, where most of our rowing strength seems to be centred. The fact that the Aussies do so well with a large country and sparce population is stunning. I think their model is the way to go for smaller nations.

    I also thoroughly enjoyed watching Michael Phelps. It was a performance for the ages, on par with Jesse Owens and Mark Spitz (Once every 36 years to boot).
  48. Mary T from Toronto, Canada writes: I am thrilled! Simon Whitfield's performance was incredible, and I am so pleased for our medallists in trampoline, hurdles and diving! That said, we can do better and hopefully we'll get motivated and active as a nation and do even better next time. There is nothing negative or mean-spirited about saying that. Winners win and strive to do even better in the future.
  49. Adam Cooper from Toronto, Canada writes: I have absolutely no idea what Thomas Morris is pathetically trying to convey (nor does he, I think). My question is what does Olympic glory really bring with it? Nothing of substance. Surely nationalism is not a good thing--where the nation is deified and the citizen made a patron. Indeed, the nation state is their to serve the collective will, not the government's corporate will. Morever, what use is sport in our society? How will throwing lead weights help society? How will archery help? How will swimming help. While I agree that it may inspire others to take to sport and implicityly improve their health (in aggregate), do you really think that those moved to exercise would be those that cost the tax payer the most. I think not.

    To me, the Olympics is simply a copious waste of money and building resources. Surely there are better ways to plan infrastructure than by using 14 day international events that will occur once in your city.

    My bottom line: who cares how many medals we win ... It doesn't affect the vast majority of Canada's population's lives. However, the silly sum we spend on our olympics program negatively affects the vast majorty of Canadians.
  50. david sandford from vancouver, Canada writes: Thomas Morris, u've got to be kidding.... Canada has consistently been placed well ahead of the states as the best place in the world to live.

    The annual quality of life survey released by Mercer Human Resource Consulting placed Vancouver 3rd in 215 cities, The highest city in the states ranked 25....

    I suggest you go back to huffing on your tailpipe dreams....
  51. Mad Habber from Montreal from Canada writes: Duncan McCockenue from Canada writes: What's with people comparing our SUMMER medal count with Australia's?! They basically never see snow! How about comparing SUMMER/WINTER totals with Australia and see how we measure up! Dammit... we get summer here for 4 months!

    Maybe cause they won a gold and a bronze in Torino....and if you add up both Olympics they still out medal us...with 2/3 the population!
  52. Steve Lee from Canada writes: This is a wonderful time for Canada but there are still lots of work to do. As a cold Northern country there should be numerous indoor training facilities in the provinces and only athletes that have the potential to compete with the rest of the world should be encouraged and funded. Instead we foolishly spend on athletes who have been misled into thinking they are good enough, just look at the qualifying times. Why it takes an expert to see that Kevin Sullivan, the middle distance runner, Angela White the hurdler and many likewise,after given so many chances to improve just does not have the talent to suddenly be spectacular is beyond me.
  53. L.B. MURRAY from !! from Canada writes: -
    diane marie writes : ....Olympic prowess is just one more proof of existing or aspiring sole-superpower status, the struggling to maintain or pursuit of which Canada will never be troubled by (fortunately).
    ______________________________________

    Fortunately, indeed.
    Now, I'm going back to watching the Olympics, switching between CBC and Radio Canada and at night, even switching to the NBC coverage which, lo and behold, is far less ''chauvinistic'' than in previous Olympic coverage.... perhaps NBC has wisened up and tries to attract a ''worldwide audience''...

    -
  54. P cheng from ottawa, Canada writes: Common Sense Matters from Canada writes: 'A feast of failure' written by CHRISTIE BLATCHFORD, G&M, August 13, 2008 at 10:23 PM EDT. _____________ Christie, you should have waited. What an embarrassment to Canada you are.
    =============>
    That is because of the peer pressure. They need to be the first to say that. She just make a wrong bet this. On the otherside, she would said that 'I told you so' if canada did not perform well. LOL
  55. Rene L from Somewhere, Canada writes: Mad Habber from Montreal from Canada writes: Maybe cause they won a gold and a bronze in Torino....and if you add up both Olympics they still out medal us...with 2/3 the population!
    ------------------------------------------------------------
    Without really wanting to belabour the Canada vs Australia/U.S. point, I must say that there are almost 4 x the number of medals in the summer olympics than the winter olympics so it is to be expected that a nation that specialises in the summer olympics vs the winter will get more overall medals. Having said that - Canada is doing great at these summer games!!!

    Go Canada Go!!!
  56. M Fabulous from NYC, United States writes: You are all still losers. Your hurdler won a bronze but look who won the gold -- US of A suckas!

    BTW, have you gotten your snow boots ready because winter is only 1 week away!
  57. smart guy from Canada writes: Hey Common Sense

    Christie Blatchford is one of the only reasons I subscribe to the Globe print copies. Definitely not an embarrassment to Canada. As for the article, if you read more than the headline, you would have noticed her comments about how Canada always starts slowly at the Olympics and how the media always gets negative at the start. Guess she was right!

    Go Canada Go!
  58. Tom Randall from Canada writes: Every four years the media pulls out the same story about why Canada is failing at the Olympics, politicians and talk radio pundits scream about funding.......and then we get a bunch of medals 2/3 of the way through the competition and 1 weeks after the Olympics the funding discussions go away.
    The media really needs to get some new story ideas since they just rehash old stories and do not bring anything new to the table and politicians.....well I guess athletic funding doesn't get a lot of votes so it is ignored - pretty sad we fund criminals in this country more than we do athletes
  59. M Fabulous from NYC, United States writes: Sanford - That claim that Canada is the best place to live is based on some study done 10 years ago. Haven't you seen the latest one -- its slid down to number 10 while the USA is number 3 after Norway and some other Nordic country.

    Canada is the land of excuses. I lived there for 3 years and saw it first hand. You can't sneeze without asking what the States will think or do about it. There is such an inferiority complex there its incredible.

    Remember - your healthcare system is the worst. My wife is a Canadian doc who left Canada and decried the system as being corrupt, inefficient and poor. She one of the hundreds of thousands Canadians living happily in the States and who has no intention of returning. How many Americans can say the same about Canada?
  60. Jon B from Saskatoon, Canada writes: M Fabulous from NYC, United States writes: You are all still losers. Your hurdler won a bronze but look who won the gold -- US of A suckas!

    BTW, have you gotten your snow boots ready because winter is only 1 week away!
    ----------
    Yeah, that's nice. Per capita we're doing much better. Our 33M person talent pool has won the same number of medals as 49M of your talent pool. Keep crowing jack@$$.
  61. Toast And coffee from Somewhere, Canada writes: Canadians should be proud of our Olympic athletes whether they medal or not. In some sports we expected to medal so it is natural to be disappointed if they didn't. In others we are up against superior competition and should be proud if a personal best or Canadian record is set.

    I am not a huge fan of the Olympics and comments that would indicate that we can 'buy' medals is what is wrong with the whole thing.

    The Olympics at its best is about good sportsmanship and nuturing relationships with other countries.

    The Olympics at its worst is corrupt officials taking bribes. Judges scoring with bias. And goof balls in the public admonishing the government to spend limitless amount of money in an effort to beat another countries athlete. Sickening stuff!

    Congrats to all of our athletes! Go Canada!
  62. Rene L from Somewhere, Canada writes: M Fabulous from NYC, United States writes: Remember - your healthcare system is the worst. My wife is a Canadian doc who left Canada and decried the system as being corrupt, inefficient and poor. She one of the hundreds of thousands Canadians living happily in the States and who has no intention of returning. How many Americans can say the same about Canada?
    -----------------------------------------------
    First - I highly doubt someone that has enough intelligence to be a doctor would actually marry somebody like you. Secondly, if your wife is indeed a Canadian doctor and hates Canada so much - its surprising she accepting the highly subsidized education she recv'd from this great nation - she should consider reimbursing Canada.
  63. whatevah D from Canada writes: Paul, Bytown, from Canada writes: Another great day.

    1. Whitfield should be our flag bearer for the closing ceremony. He gave a super human performance.

    2. In the 100m, the 3 Jamaicans won gold and 2 silvers since they had the same time. Why didn't Priscilla get a silver if she had the same time as the silver medalist?

    3. Jason Burnett was robbed in the men's trampoline by the judges. He had a higher degree of difficulty and performed a near flawless routine. The Chinese guy had a lower degree of difficulty, travelled more and went out of bounce. But still won the gold. Pure B.S.

    A similar thing seemed to happen in women's vault as well. hmmm
  64. Jimmy's Lunch from Canada writes: Jimmy is happier than a young school girl who just sprouted her titties.

    Way to go Simon !!!!!
    GO CANADA GO!!!!!!!!
  65. In Oaktown from United States writes: Actually M Fabulous you are quite wrong.

    The 'list' or 'some study' you are quoting is the United Nations Human Development Index, the last one being released in 2007 based on 2005 statistics. This study is completed yearly.

    http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListofcountriesbyHumanDevelopmentIndex

    The placings came out like this:
    1. Iceland
    2. Norway
    3. Australia
    4. Canada (rising from #6 in 2006)
    5. Ireland
    .
    .
    .
    12. United States (slipping from 8 in 2006)

    So flame on....
  66. D S from Victoria, Canada writes: Awesome job Canada!! Wonder where all the losers are now who were constantly critisizing Canada last week? They obviously went back into their caves of self-disgust. People who are unhappy themselves resort to constant degradation and critisizm of others. We definitely saw this last week. I was a little nervous, but I knew we would come through!

    Go Canada!
  67. stand up mimi from Vancouver, Canada writes: Adam Cooper from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Morever, what use is sport in our society? How will throwing lead weights help society? How will archery help? How will swimming help. '

    It's not just about inspiring people to 'exercise'. It's about striving for excellence and pushing the limits of what we are capable of. Excellence in sport (or art, or music, or any activity) has a way of encouraging excellence in society at large, and in more obviously 'useful' areas such as medicine and science. At its best, it also encourages excellence in character.
  68. Patrick King from Canada writes: 'Jimmy's Lunch from Canada writes: Jimmy is happier than a young school girl who just sprouted her titties.'

    This is an awfully inappropriate comparison, scurrilous and beyond the pale.
  69. Common Sense Matters from Canada writes: smart guy, believe me, I read quite a few of her articles (in full). She is negative in quite a few of the articles she has written about China.

    Funny you indicated CB is one of the only reasons I subscribe to the Globe print copies. You mean to say 'many reasons' I supposed. Next time, check before you post your comments to see if it make sense.

    Can you explain why such a degrading headline for the article? I guess some people get fooled into buy printed copies because of such an eye catching headline? I wonder who those people might be?
  70. L.B. MURRAY from !! from Canada writes: M Fabulous from NY writes.....

    Canada is the land of excuses. I lived there for 3 years and saw it first hand. You can't sneeze without asking what the States will think or do about it. There is such an inferiority complex there its incredible.
    _________________________

    Yeah... Fabulous.... you're right about Canada asking permission to sneeze... especially in the past two years.... that's why our troops are ''extended'' to 2011 in Afghanistan....

    Sorry... Fabulous.... but our troops will be very much needed in2010 in Vancouver, CANADA, during our WINTER OLYMPICS.... Troops can't be in the sand of Afghanistan at the beck and call of your US Prezzzident while they are needed right here in Canada to protect us against terrraaarisssts during our 2010 Olympic Games.

    Good day!
  71. Michael Mitchell from Canada writes: M Fabulous: your comments are wasting space on this forum. Just another example of the pomposity of your new-found Excited States of America.
  72. Lyn Alg from Canada writes: Hooray for Priscilla. All Canadians are extremely proud of you. It's sure is refreshing to finally have a true blue female Olympian in Track & Field who has proven her worth and shown her true talent by actual performance compared to Felicien, a pseudo- Olympian giving Canadians the impression of being an Olympian but afraid to complete in the Olympics by always having lame excuses of being injured or choking at major Track & Field tournaments. I wonder what excuse she will fabricate for not being able to partake in the next Olympics in 2012? Any government funding going to Felicien should now be directed entirely to Priscilla for her training for the 2012 Olympics. Perdita who?
  73. Michael Mitchell from Canada writes: A bronze in the hurdles? Cool. Perdita who?
  74. Gary Dare from Portland, Oregon, Canada, writes: Ballin Munson writes, 'This 10X business is soooooooo outdated...' Actually not when you look at it practically ... the US does not count visitors present during their census, and has a large population of illegal immigrants (from 12 to 20 Million, depending on the estimate) who do not answer the census for obvious reasons. StatsCan attempts to count everybody present in the country (tourists, business travelers and foreign students consume infrastructure, after all) on Census Day.

    By proportion, great job athletes ... to all athletes, congratulations to all of you and let's dump the 19th Century nation-state hype.
  75. Anton Norbert from Brampton, Canada writes: Hurrah for Priscilla. Good on you Simon.

    Congrats to the Olympians.

    Go Canada Go.

    I still want Govt. assistance to Sports in our blessed Nation.
  76. Steve Lee from Canada writes: M Fabulous sounds like the name of a drag queen. How large is your apt. for two, about 6'X6'? and how much does it cost to rent? Your health care is your wife so what happens if she leaves you?
  77. 100% Conservative from Victoria BC, Canada writes: I want to add my voice to those that support, encourage and stand by our athletes. I am especially proud of Millar with the medal in the equestrian events as he is actually slightly older than me and that does my heart very good! Way to go Canucks keep up the good work!
  78. Oswaldo I from Canada writes: Given her appearance, I'll wait for the urine test results before I celebrate.
  79. R. M. from Canada writes: Sometimes it takes more pure talent, it takes some good 'fortune' at someone else's expense and that is often the nature of athletics. The top competitors were not at the games and one of the women leading knocked over a hurdle and feel from first to out of the medals....having said that. congrats to our Canadian athlete who competed hard and cleanly in this event.
  80. Let's be reasonable from Toronto, Canada writes: Canada is a tiny country, dont be fooled by its land mass. 13 medals and more to come is a wonderful performance for a country of only 30 odd million people. By that (silly but fun!) criteria the US with ten times the population should have got 130 medals. Congratulations team Canada!

    Not that the US has done badly, a mind boggling 26 gold medals! Yet it pales in comparison with 'developing' country China's 43 golds.
  81. O Canada from Canada writes: I don't know why all of you give the US Troll the time of day.


    Rene L. LOL - I thought the same thing but didn't want to respond to the troll.


    Sports, like music and the other arts are essential for the health and soul of all citizens. The fact that some don't recognize this fact is the reason so many young people have little hope and joy. I learned a lot by being involved in music and sports during my youth and I see this in the young people in my family. I was from a very poor family that could not afford a lot but the facilities and instruments were available through my schools. It's a shame that we don't have more facilities for youth not so fortunate as to have parents who can pay for it. I don't like my tax money being wasted but putting it to use in our schools on these subjects is money well spent.

  82. Adam Cooper from Toronto, Canada writes: stand up mimi from Vancouver, Canada writes: 'It's not just about inspiring people to 'exercise'. It's about striving for excellence and pushing the limits of what we are capable of. Excellence in sport (or art, or music, or any activity) has a way of encouraging excellence in society at large, and in more obviously 'useful' areas such as medicine and science. At its best, it also encourages excellence in character.'

    That's just silly and naive. If we are striving for 'excellency' in something useless that does nothing for society. It's the same as striving for excellency in watching TV if you think sport is useless. Moreover, how does watching someone throw weights around or swim inspire someone to strive for excellence in their job (something that is actually productive for society)?

    The character aspect of your assertion is downright laughable in its absurdity. Do you think the doping issues are demonstrative of the chacter of these athletes? Do you think most athletes are of good character? From my experience, athletes have some of the worst character traits and the lowest maturity levels (indeed, I would posit there is a strong positive relationship between athletes and immaturity/stupidity). Indeed, how often do we see adults in physical altercations in sport compared to real life? Much, much, much more ... Sport is a regression to times before the rule of law and democracy. It's a regression into tribal alliances and barbarism. It's the depravity of charcter and virtue and the exercise of vice, vanity and stupidity.

    Caveat: I don't deny that sport/exercise is important in tuning the mind and reliving stress, I am just asserting that it's useless otherwise, including watching it (for democratic government's that is).
  83. A S from Toronto, Canada writes: Way to go Priscilla et all! Keep 'em coming. Oh, and as for that American dude posting here, if he has such disdain for Canadians, why did he: marry one; and why is posting this board? GO CANADA GO!!
  84. joseph Cheng from Toronto, Canada writes: 'A feast of failure' written by CHRISTIE BLATCHFORD, G&M, August 13, 2008. So what else is new regarding Ms Blatchford? If there isn't anything that she can nitpick to write on be it China or Canadian Olympians, she wouldn't even be having the career of a reporter or columnist. The biggest shadenfreude of all Canadian reporters and columnists.
  85. Mike smith from Canada writes: Fabulous,
    Canada's health system has its challenges just like everyone else's. The amount of middlemen sucking US health dollars is astounding, talk about inefficiency and corruption.
    If she is happy there, so be it, ask her to not come here running if she loses a job or health insurance is eliminated.
  86. Don Wells from Canada writes: Good for the medalists---not so good for Canada--A BIG LOSER--compared to any other country--
    a big palliative---for the money--GLTU
  87. Let's be reasonable from Toronto, Canada writes: By the way Canada is currently number 4 on the UN's Human Development Index, down from #1 for a record number of ten times since 1985. Canada was 1 continuously from 1994 to 1999. Next is Norway, at 1 for six times. The US is currently at 12. (2007 figures).

    By the way the state of health care is best judged by patients, not by physicians looking for a better paying job. Wonder what the 47 million uninsured (16% of the total population) think of the US healthcare system?
  88. B Lam from Canada writes: Patrick King from Canada writes: The name of the cancerous NBC commentator on women gymnastics at the Olympics is Tim Dagget

    _____________________________

    I had the exact feeling as yours. I just don't understand why NBC allows a low life commentator like Tim Dagget to be on the show.

    I bet that if the tie breaker advantage was awarded to US, Tim would have said that the system is fair and square.
  89. contrite individual from Way east, Canada writes: Why do you blather on (and on) about 2nd and 3 place? There is only one winner, all others are losers, period, not worthy of mention!
  90. J Kay from Canada writes: Thomas Morris: Um yes we do when we make those comparisons; they are made on a PER CAPITA basis which renders the size differences between the two countries populations moot.

    So by suggesting above that Canada compare it's medal count to the US on a per capita basis it is entirely consistent with the type of comparisons done on other subjects.

    Now criticism can be drawn with this approach, however the same is true for an absolute counting as well since population size (pool) does make a difference, as does the amount of funding spent on sport.
  91. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Planete Quebec from Canada writes: Hello? Where is BC's Premier? Do we need more public funding for athletes now? And where is all that media alarmism about Canada's poor performance? Hellooo?

    Yes, we still need more funding (public and private) and we need to do better. Priscilla had an awesome comeback fight and she did our country proud but had Lolo Jones not hit the hurdle, the 'medal rush' headline probably wouldn't have materialized. So let's put today in perspective: it was a great day for Canadians, but it by no means makes up for the lack of funding and training facilities/resources in Canada - our medal winning athletes will be the first to tell you that. After all, we still only have two gold medals and will probably have just four or five to end the games - and it's the golds that count. Do our athletes who courageously fight above their weight to win bronze and silver not deserve government support to win the championship medal?
  92. joseph Cheng from Toronto, Canada writes: Patrick King from Canada writes: The name of the cancerous NBC commentator on women gymnastics at the Olympics is Tim Dagget.........
    ...............................
    ____________________________________________________
    Patrick King: Right on! I can't agree with you more! But when you think about it, it is people like Tim Dagget and the so-called gymnastic guru Karolyi that have helped to hold the American athletes back and let the Chinese athletes pass them. The more inventive 'reasons' these people told their fellow Americans that they were in fact doing great and it was the judges who were impartial and biased, the more the American public and the American athletes would believe them and thought it was true. The American athletes and their various sporting organizations couldn't be bothered to continue to improve and be content to sit still. Look at the American boxers. They always said they were number one and nobody could ever beat them. In this Olympics, they were nowhere to be found. I didn't hear or read the Chinese complaining about biasness or bad judging in previous Olympics when they only won a handful of medals. But Look where they are now!