Red and White Pride

One week into the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games we've seen some of the highest highs and the lowest lows. There have been tears of joy, sadness, elation and pride.

Despite the negative media reports regarding the weather, venues, technical issues and broken down Zamboni's, one thing that has been shining through at 100% capacity is the pride of the host country.

Sure, not everyone that calls themselves a Canadian is happy with the politics of the games or the money spent that could have gone to other issues within our borders but so what. The money spent is irrelevant when you see Canadians of all walks of life coming together wearing their red & white mittens or Canada "hoodies" and beaming with pride from coast to coast.

We are proud to welcome the world and are thrilled to show off our way of life.

When it comes to results, Canadians have had success and even those that failed to reach the podium have represented the country well and did so with honour and dignity. It is the Canadian way.

But while some think the games are about results and medals, I think it's about so much more than that. Even tonight as I watched Melissa Hollingsworth in tears after failing to medal in the Women's Skeleton, I felt sorry for her because she didn't achieve her goal and she felt as if she'd let the country down. On the contrary, how can anyone who gave it their best effort let anyone down. It just wasn't her day to win.

Win or lose in these games, Canadian athletes, spectators and citizens across this great country are showing the patriotism that Canadians have always had but rarely show publicly. Unlike other nations, we don't need to shout out loud for others to hear all the time. But it is nice to know that at least for these two weeks, the rest of the world is getting a glimpse of the Canada that I know and love.