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There, that’s that. Finally. Now that long stupendous Olympic fortnight is done, and we can all get on with our own lives, having spent the last 17 days living vicariously through the feats of others. What a distraction it was. Olympic hangover indeed.
But now governments are getting back to the business of governing — with federal and provincial governments bringing down their budgets in the near future.
One thing the Olympics showed us is that sports and the arts are not mutually exclusive. Our “Own the Podium” campaign, subject to much derision at home and abroad, actually turned out to be a success — with our amateur athletes achieving a much greater level of achievement than ever before. And the Opening Ceremonies showcased the high level of our own multifaceted arts and cultural communities to the world, and inspired the artist in all of us. This is what can be achieved when a country throws its support behind an event.
Brand Canada has been front and centre before the world because of public financial support to amateur sports and the arts. Ironically, these two areas are likely first on the chopping block as the governments table there budgets. What a mistake.
Funding is not about singling out a few athletes for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, nor about providing a stadium-sized venue for a few star artists for an international event. Its about creating an enthusiasm and interest in sports and the arts that our whole country can buy into, starting with our kids. Success breeds success, and its imperative we build on our recent, immense successes. This is what other nations first see, what they will think of first when they think Canada.
