Congrats to the women's Team Canada for winning the gold in ice hockey last night. I wasn't able to catch much of the game, but what I did see showed them overpowering the US team. They earned the gold, no doubt about it. For Team USA, congrats on the silver and keep plugging away. The gap is not that far between the two teams and the loss means that US women's hockey just needs to keep striving for improvement. That's not a bad thing at all.
I guess the IOC is investigating if the Canadian women besmirched the reputation of the Olympics when they returned to the ice and celebrated by having some beer and champagne and smoking cigars. This was about a half hour after the fans had cleared out.
Good grief. What's the problem? Was it that alcohol was consumed? Tobacco was smoked? Have we really become so priggish that we can't let people celebrate a little? Team Canada can't say it, but I will:
IOC? Get a friggin' life.
I'm not a prig, but I'm kind of on the IOC's side. Did they really have to party there? I don't feel it was theirs to use. Party in your village or whatever they call it.
Posted by: Kate P | February 26, 2010 at 07:00 PM
On second thought, if all the IOC had a problem with was that they were in public and they had an image (the Olympics' image) to uphold--whatever. Carry on, ladies.
Posted by: Kate P | February 26, 2010 at 07:06 PM
Yeah, I think the IOC only has a problem that pics got out. Otherwise they would be fine with it.
You have to understand how those women earned that ice, Kate. They worked hard for a long time to get to that point, without the benefit of the lucrative NHL contracts that the men get. That makes it their ice for that night in a way that I, not to appear paternalistic by any means, will fiercely defend.
I almost did an FFOT entry on this because the SOBs who published this stuff to create a controversy ought to be hanged by their gonads. Same for all who are just looking for an excuse to get their outrage on. Bah!
All those women did was share a drink and/or a smoke, after the fans had left, on the home ice they had earned. Good for them!
Posted by: Dave E. | February 26, 2010 at 08:14 PM
Yeah, I was wondering how many athletes aren't allowed drinking and smoking while they are training--they probably were counting the days.
In their high school years, my SIL was a figure skater and my brother played hockey, so maybe one day my niece will be on the ice for something--either way, I'd be proud.
Posted by: Kate P | February 27, 2010 at 08:54 AM
Yep, that's exactly right, Kate. Athletes at that level make a lot of sacrifices to reach their goal. When it's over, I think they have earned the right to cut loose a bit. It sounds like your niece at least has the right genes. :)
Posted by: Dave E. | February 27, 2010 at 12:15 PM