D'oh Canada

When a country is hosting an Olympic games, they always want to do well. And, buoyed by the homefield advantage and the goodwill of the vast majority of spectators, they generally do. For Vancouver 2010 and beyond, the Canadians, perhaps somewhat miffed at what they perceive to be below-par performances at previous Olympics, launched their much-trumpeted Own the Podium initiative. Its “Vision” is for Canada to become a “world leader in high-performance sport”, and clearly this is more likely to happen at the Winter Games based on climate issues and comparitve lack of competitors. Therefore the Canadian bigwigs have set the lofty goal of achieving the highest overall medal count in Vancouver.

Which is all well and good, but there is maximising your chances of success and then there is basically not letting other countries practice properly on all your courses, which is somewhat crossing the line into pretty bloody awful sportsmanship. Oh, except the Russians, who were allowed more practice time. Coincidentally, the 2014 games are to be held in Sochi, Russia. I scratch your back, and all that.

Own the Podium has permeated throughout the general population too, with the result that crowds so far have reached levels of obnoxious partisanship which are more commonly associated with their neighbours across the border. Even the name smacks of unbearable cockiness. The Olympics shouldn't really be about "owning" anything.

Canada may not have a glittering history of sporting success, but on the other hand it’s considered to be an unthreatening place full of warm, friendly folk - the anti-USA, in other words. Watch a few episodes of Mountie-out-of-water dramedy Due South to see this in action - like all good stereotypes it’s one that’s rooted in reality. Canadians say “Have a nice day!” and sound like they really mean it.

Quite enough countries treat the Olympics like a giant pissing contest already (something Britain could certainly be accused of), it's dispiriting to witness another arrogant upstart swinging its dick around too. Why the need to try and become a sporting superpower? What's wrong with being pleasant and respected? Oh yeah, nice guys supposedly finish last. Seems like the Canadians have taken the maxim a tad too much to heart.