Tuesday, December 15, 2009

"With Glowing Hearts/Des Plus Brillants Exploits"

There was a poll out not too long ago that said, in a way most polls are wont to do, that very few people were interested in the Olympic Torch Relay. Pollsters are always negative. It is their role to play Eeyore in the woods of our acre.

It is, of course, very much a media centred and media driven event.

Anyway, nobody asked me. And I actually have been following the torch relay.

106 days. 12,000 torchbearers. 45,000 km. 1,036 communities.

Of course, as anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of what Canada looks like, will realize that most of the torch relay involves driving the thing from place to place with the runners only actually running for 300 metres before passing it on. The torch will also travel by seaplane, snowmobile, canoe, dogsled, dory, double-decker bus, streetcar and kayak to name a few of the interesting alternative modes of transport. Unfortunately not by camel. I would have liked to see that.
It started in Victoria and is wending its way across the country, up and down and around, until it finds its way back to Vancouver. Some have said the torch looks like a huge joint. I wouldn't know about that. Ask Pinklea. Mostly, it seems to resemble a giant barbecue lighter. Sleek and elegant and resembling ice and snow (so they say).

Even with all the myriad things wrong with the Olympics, I still get caught up in the spirit of the Games. And the athletes. I've started reading the sports section that outlines the worlds' and qualifying events and gives stories about the athletes to watch. I find that much more interesting than football or hockey. Or Tiger.

I read the Globe and Mail every day and the first thing I go to is the daily account of the torch relay. It isn't so much the relay itself, as the communities it passes through. The stories of those communities and the different personalities of each. Some have been through such a hard time of it lately that the idea of this expensive journey of a giant barbecue lighter just seems to be an overblown pointless extravagance. I can understand that. Other communities have been so hard done by and isolated over the years, that the very idea of the torch coming to their town just overwhelms them in pride. A chance to feel included. A chance to shine and let the world see where they live. I have found much of it fascinating.

The Olympics are coming here, whatever we think or want. So we might as well make the most of it and get interested and involved. There really is nothing sadder than a party where the hosts are bickering and unhappy about the whole affair. Or completely indifferent.

Now, I am not a fanatic about this. I do not watch the webcam, nor do I keep abreast of its tweets.

But on Day 51 of its journey, when it passes through my town, I will be there.

23 comments:

  1. When Sydney had the Olympics I took the boys to see the torch relay. They still remember it.

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  2. Froggie: now, you guys knew how to get behind the whole Olympics thing and embrace it!

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  3. I haven't seen the real torch, but I do think it looks kind of like a doobie, now that you mention it! Olympics, shmolympics. Some people in Vancouver are pretty excited about them (mostly media types, I think), but an awful lot aren't. Most of us, me included, just think that this is the wrong time for BC to host the Olympic games, considering how our provincial government is decimating our medical system and education system. Maybe we should just say we have an Olympic medical or education system, and then somehow there'd be money ...

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  4. Pinklea: well, we'll see how excited people get around here as 2012 PanAm Games nears.

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  5. I think the Olymics are a sham now that no-one seems to be a clean competitor.The Paralympics, now you're talking.
    The relay meant nothing to me until I knew a young man with a disability who was part of it.He was so proud I had to be proud too, it's an honour to know him.He makes it his mission in life to tell jokes to cheer everyone up.Onya Brad!!

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  6. Goosebreeder: sadly the doping has certainly tainted it, but for the people who are carrying the torch, and especially former Olympians, they are so proud and emotional. Seeing Barbara Ann Scott (gold in figure skating in 1948!) get a standing ovation when she carried the torch into the Senate was quite moving.

    I wish there was more coverage of the Paralympics.

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  7. I too think it all is fascinating. I like to hear of the communities that the torch is passing though and I am glad that they feel proud. The Olympics are coming and I have the spirit!!!! I am looking forward to the games. Yes! I know there will be controversies but I think of the competitors and how hard they have worked for their one shot! It moves me every time.
    Hugs and Merry Christmas
    SueAnn

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  8. Good for you! I love your attitude. I've been an Olympics junkie my whole life. I do wonder why so many Canadians (who claim to be the nicest people in the world) are being so cold about hosting the Olympics. It's really strange. Anyway, here's a salute to a fellow Olympics fan. Yay!

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  9. Mea Culpa but I'm one of the "Whatever"ers...

    The winter Olympics don't do it for me... nor for that matter do the summer (except for soccer and track & field).

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  10. I love the Olympics! It's the only time I ever watch any kind of sporting events. I'm so excited that the Winter Olympics is in Canada!

    When I saw the photo in my blogroll, I thought it was a flaming scalpel!

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  11. I love watching the Olympics. Very cool that you will get to see the torch. What fun.

    Also I love the snowflakes on your site, feels very festive.

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  12. Say...how did you get the snowflake affect?

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  13. SueAnn: I think it is pretty cool that this torch is travelling so far all through Canada, in an effort to connect as many communities and people as possible.

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  14. Jazz; and you folks have been paying forever for '76! it is strange how I am so into these when I am not at all a fan of sports (except soccer - though even then only during world cup)

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  15. Geewits: I can see the less than enthusiastic desire to host after Montreal's financial disaster, but then Calgary was such a success...
    not everyone has to be excited, but really, we could generate a bit more enthusiasm. and this is one way to get so many people closer to the games in spirit, anyway.

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  16. Susan: yay, in the same time zone!

    a flaming scalpel!!

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  17. Sistertex: I think it is pretty cool too. unfortunately it will be getting dark by the time it arrives.

    google: snoweffects blogger. it is so easy.

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  18. I remember how excited people were in Buffalo when it came though and the people who were carrying it had some compelling stories...Michelle

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  19. Michelle: last time (in 1988) anybody could put their name in for a draw to carry the torch; this time you had to apply and say why you should be given the chance. Very different, but there are some pretty neat torch bearers chosen.

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  20. I think I may be an Olympic Grinch, seems a lot of build up but then there are the after effects of the doping scandals...has really put me off.

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  21. Sagittarian: the doping is everyone, so I still am thrilled about seeing the accomplishments of the other athletes.

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  22. I'm a bit beyond uninterested in the Olympics. I actually think they suck up way too much money ($6B and counting) for what has become little more than a PR exercise in many ways. Even if it were a great, clean athletic event - that amount of money is just obscene when there are so many other areas desperate for a tiny fraction of that cash who can't get it...which means people who are sick can't get treatment..children continue to live in poverty... schools can't get books or the teachers they need - the list is endless.

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  23. XUP: as with most sporting or entertainment events they end up costing way too much (to run and to attend). but there is no guarantee that the money saved by not hosting would go to such worthy causes as you suggested. look at how many times Toronto lost out, as a prime example.

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