RIO-THANKS TO ALL OUR CANADIAN ATHLETES

Exceeding the number of medals expected which means there were a few unexpected. If we count all the personal bests, valiant efforts and 4th, 5th, 6th place finishes it was a great Olympics for those that went. For some just finishing the event or race was important too.  Families, home towns, schools where they attended, provinces and the whole country is proud. Go Canada Go! You made us proud.

NANA SAYS OLYMPICS INSPIRE CHILDREN

Rio Olympics have had its share of ups and downs for our athletes. As young children watch our athletes compete and try for a medal, there is often a few that get very inspired to say maybe I can do that too. Feeling proud for one's country and yelling- Go Canada Go! My grandchildren were thrilled with some track events and swimming on a recent sleepover. It was good for me to see them so interested in the events. More than just sports- geography, history, math- are some of the concepts that can be reviewed as the events unfold. Even hearing the different languages spoken by the athletes can lead to a willingness to learn another language. Learning about the hard work, training and dedication to a sport are life values and skills that children may absorb by osmosis. Needing to move and get out there - off the couch and off the gadgets! Knowing the names of the winners! The overall feeling of pride in one's nation is a good thing for our children! Olympics with its many lessons of life!

SOCHI SOCHI-LOVE OF THE OLYMPICS

Are you an Olympic groupie? I love the Olympics. In the last 20 years it has been more enjoyable to watch them with Canadians actually winning medals. Despite any negative press about how ready Sochi is, I like Lisa La Flamme's enthusiasm last night on CTV news. She was positive and looking forward to the Opening Ceremonies. It makes me wonder how much world bad press there was about our amazing Vancouver Olympics. Calgary hosting in 1988 was quite incredible too! I believe the Russians will be great hosts and showcase their culture well. Oh yes since 1972 there has to be realms of security-such a pity. But the crazies of the world use a positive world event for their cause. Here's to all the athletes, coaches and parents who make this happen. I know where Sochi is on the world map and am learning more about Russian geography in that area. Here's to Sochi-let the games begin! I am sure there will be lots of thrills. Since there has been a worry about snow-here in my area we have snowbanks full of the white stuff. So you can come and get some of ours anytime. To my Russian readers-some friendly competition-let's see who will win the Hockey-it is a Canadian invention!

NOW THAT THE OLYMPICS ARE OVER, WHAT'S ON TV?

Over two weeks of Olympic and athletic accomplishments, whenever an Olympics ends there is always a feeling of withdrawl! Cheering and feeling good about not only our Canadian athletes but the wonderful stories of other nations achieving some glory too takes over the daily conversations! With nothing much to watch on TV perhaps it's time to return to the summer reading! What do you think?

WINNING AT ANY COST-IS IT WORTH IT?

As we watch the Olympics and root for our country, it is always wonderful to see the best and those who do their personal best. Canada making it to number 5 from 8th in Women's Gymnastics was amazing. The little swimmer from Lithuania winning that gold for a country that does not come first. Concerns about cheating again in the pool is a reminder of the 1972 Olympics. We Canadians with our terrible Ben Johnson scandal makes us more vigilant to take ownership of cheating with drugs or doping. Besides the continued use of any drug could compromise the longevity of a person. Is it it worth it for a moment of glory to die before your time? Does anyone really want to face that consequence? There are enough events and medals to go around that can be shared by athletes of the world so many nations can be proud of their heroes. Olympics give incentive to todays' children and youth to try to excel in sports with lifelong benefits. We are told exercise has many wonderful possibilities for good health. Good clean competition is wonderful to see. May the best man or woman win in each event. But is pushing your athletes to win just a gold as a silver or bronze does not count  seem somewhat barbaric? State run programs work in some countries. However taking young children from their families in their childhood to live elsewhere denies them a chance, well to have a family. Does it give the emotional grounding needed to live as a well rounded adult? Where do you belong? To the state or to your family? We Canadians saw what such a move did to our First Nation people a couple of generations ago when young children went to residential schools. It was a blight on our history that we are still correcting. Winning is good but with the support of family, the immediate community, friends then comes the nation. I would not want to sacrifice one child for the sake of a Gold medal if it meant an adult without an identity. One moment of glory often does not account for decades of living out of the spotlight. What do you think is winning at any cost worth it?

LONDON'S OLYMPIC FEVER-GOOD LUCK FROM CANADA

As the London Olympics-2012 are about to begin today, we Canadians are reminded of our three times as hosts. Montreal-1976, Calgary-1988 and Vancouver-2010. The aftermath of hosting such an event can have such ripple effects for years to come. Like the Calgary ski hill that is used as a park and a training grounds for ski jumping and other sports. Those of us that could not attend the events can still visit after the fact as tourists.

So as memories are created over the next two weeks- here's to all our athletes, athletes of the world and London- have a blast!