Editor,
Like a lot of people around here, I felt the Olympics as an intrusion that I have paid good tax dollars for. The start did not look good: mechanical failure in the opening ceremony, the ever-threatening warm winter and the tragedy of the Georgian luge competitor on the first day.
The organizational forces were trying to pull off an impressive ceremonial start and were failing dismally.
The Europeans lead by the often vicious British press, my country of origin, had dubbed the 2010 Olympics the "Glitch Games" and vilified the organization.
Brave words for a country setting its own Olympic stage for 2012. As a "Brit" I felt quite ashamed.
But then something happened. Alexandre Bilodeau brought the first men's Canadian gold on Canadian snow. Maëlle Ricker brought in the first women's Canadian gold and a Squamish resident at that.
Then more gold, silver and bronze.
Suddenly I became choked up. Canadians throughout the whole country were uniting with their athletes.
Every single one of the athletes I saw interviewed all showed the same qualities of humility and graciousness in success and failure - smiles, thanks and most of all how much fun we were all having.
The number of golds has been significant but Canadians have shown they are a platinum people - people of grace and simplicity from small towns in a new country.
The ordinariness of the athletes that made us feel like we "owned the podium." They are our friends and neighbours, and that meant we might have helped each other.
Sunday was important for me. It felt like I had renewed my vows with Canada through success. We have been elevated to feel deep admiration and respect for ourselves as Canadians.
I wonder if the Brits can beat that!
Sean Carter
Squamish
