Admittedly, we went a little overboard celebrating the surprising victories of Canadian athletes in the "Own the Podium." Vancouver Olympics. But then who ever thought we'd see the day when Canada would garner more Olympic gold medals than the U.S. and Russia combined?
Nevertheless, it's hard to understand those who would compare the super, patriotic jingoism of the 1936 Berlin Olympics with the joyful 2010 Vancouver Games. Those who see a connection between the two Olympics should compare the pictures of the crowds at the two events. The 1936 serious-faced Germans were parading their military power, while the laughing-Canadians in Vancouver were having themselves a ball. Talk about comparing apples to oranges.
William Bedford
CFP “Poet in Residence” William Bedford was born in Dublin, Ireland, but has lived in Toronto for most of his life. His poems and articles have been published in many Canadian journals and in some American publications.
