Canada's
Brent Hayden sits alone following the men's 4x200-metre freestyle relay
final on Wednesday. The Canadian relay team finished the race in fifth
place. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)The
head of the Canadian Olympic Committee says Canadians who are upset
with their country's lack of medal production at the Beijing Games
should calm down and relax.
The fact Canadians haven't won a medal in the pool has sparked a
heated debate among readers of CBC.ca/olympics who are frustrated that
Canada has been shut out so far in the Games that are now in Day 5.
Chris Rudge, chief executive officer of the COC, told CBC's Heather
Hiscox in China that "this is the time to support the athletes who are
there."
He says that after the Games are over, Aug. 24, that all aspects of
the entire Canadian contingent's performance will be examined.
One CBC reader wrote "we are on the road to mediocrity," while
another said "[it's] sad when you see these third world Countries at
least winning a medal or two and a rich, large country like Canada has
won 'squat.'"
Rudge says more money is coming into the system in the next few
months. He also wishes Canadians would be more vocal about the Olympic
team when the Games aren't being held. He says that would help create
the atmosphere needed to generate more funds.
Before the Games, the COC predicted Canada would be in the top 16
for medals. He stands by that prediction, and says "you don't throw in
the towel yet."
Silken Laumann, who won three Olympic medals in rowing for Canada,
appreciates how fans feel, but she also echoed Rudge's sentiment about
getting behind the Canadian athletes competing in China.
"Canadians are expecting medals, we like to know we're doing as well
as countries like Australia, but I think we need to take a step back,"
Laumann told CBC Newsworld.
"For instance, looking at what's going on in the pool, sure we
haven't won a medal yet, but there are a lot of our swimmers who have
set Canadian records, who have had personal-best performances, and
that's worth something, and I think we should be proud of how our
athletes are doing."
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