These Games

I loved that Newfoundland and Labrador declared Friday afternoon a holiday so everyone can watch Brad Gushue's rink go for gold at the Olympics. The province gets pounded with snow storms and hurricanes all the time, like the snow storm this weekend. Half the year, they are fighting the elements just to survive. Maybe that's why they have their priority and pace of life right. Hometown sons doing good is a good reason to shut down the province in celebration.

Wonder what Manitoba will do for Cindy Klassen. She's won five medals in these Games, plus a sixth medal in 2002. How will Canada honour her?

I also loved that it's the women who won most of the medals. Of the 24, 16 were won by women. That's two-thirds of the medals.

Canada's Olympic Committee credits these Games' excellence to their improved program to train athletes. I suppose they do get some credit for providing the training structure. But I think it's more that we have outspoken anti-dopers who want to prove the winning edge involves training, discipline, talent, and support, not drugs.

We can all be very proud Canadians today. This is what Stephen Harper said about our Olympians:

"Throughout the Games, you have proudly displayed our national colours and have been outstanding ambassadors for both sports and our country, through your dignity, respect and dedication."

Nice he issued those words, but obviously the work of a PR writer, because of idea of behaving with dignity, respect and dedication abroad is foreign to Harper.