Buzz Aldrin: Canada doesn't need to be No. 1

[HeresyLives]

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Canada's Olympic team take note: the second man to walk on the moon says you don't always need to be first to be successful.

Buzz Aldrin, one of many celebrities who has come to Vancouver to take in the Olympics, says too much emphasis is placed on being No. 1.

"The media makes an awful big thing about how many gold medals do you win, who's first," Aldrin said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

"That's not the point."

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2010/02/22/12979451-cp.html

[polly7]

1. I hate when people apologize for the number of medals won or

not won. We're a nation with 1/10th the population of the U.S. to train our athletes from, much less than most other countries, actually. Our athletes give their all .... whether they get to the podium or not is not the be-all end-all, celebrate the sports and enjoy them, don't pull your hair out or cry, if another athlete does better on that day. It's not war ....... it's the Olympics for gawds sake.

[HeresyLives]

2. I think that was his point. n/t

[polly7]

3. Yeah, I was just adding my opinion. I agree with him. nt.

[Spazito]

4. I completely agree with Mr. Aldrin....

I love watching ALL the athletes regardless of country and want the BEST one to win, again, regardless of country. I am proud Canada is hosting and am proud of both the athletes and the Canadian spectators, both are showing their best, imo.

[shockedcanadian]

5. How true...

This is a great post. This transcends far more than sports, but in the spirit of the Olympics games this holds even more true.

I think as long as a competitor gives his/her all, that is all that matters. It should be a competition against oneself, if you can maximize your limits, reach the threshold and beat your own best, whatever that best is, than thumbs up.

I remembered last Olympics; and there is now a commercial promoting the event, when the Norweigian coach gave a ski pole to the Canadian skier. It allowed Canada to win the Silver (they would most certainly have not won had they not been given the ski pole), while Norway finished 4th. To me, this act resonates FAR stronger, and expresses alot about the character of a person, and, I suppose to some degree a country. I cannot tell you the amount of medals won by any country in ANY Olympic games, but I definitely rememebered that moment.

Here is the story:
http://fyicanada.ca/hot_issues/view.do;jsessionid=F1A08F3F8B28127E863791E25C202C74.tomcat1?id=20150


In a sad reversal, the leadership committee in Canada returned the favour (sarcasm), by doing something very Un-Olympic (Un-Canadian?) like by restricting a Norweigian skiiers access to a mountain.

http://www.winnipegsun.com/sports/vancouver2010/news/2010/02/15/12890151.html

Own the podium? The average Canadian would LOVE to see our Canadian athletes succeed, but not in a manner that appears biased or unfair. I was shocked to read this article, this drive to be #1 is unrealistic due to our population and funding levels(and really, does anyone want billions of dollars spent trying to win God medals when we could use the funds for other things?).

Furthermore, sports and participation should be a priority, but this does not need to be Olympic victories. I would love to see more kids involved in sports, and see a lower rate of obesity, I would make that trade off gladly for a few less medals.

I am glad to read Buzz and his opinion. Especially when he states "If you judge by the spirit, you Canucks really outdo yourself".

Go Canada!

[daleo]

6. Buzz makes a good point

After seeing the Earth from the moon, he knows how stupid nationalism can be.

[HeresyLives]

7. Yes, he's probably often exasperated

at all our petty quarrels after seeing that.

[Darth_Kitten]

8. Right on Buzz!

I don't many Canadians would assume we would be Number 1 overall.

The U.S. and Germany have much greater populations. For a country our size, we are doing pretty darn good.:)

[tuvor]

9. What's Neil Armstrong's take on this?