OPINION: Canada, did we 'Own The Podium'? Last time I checked, a podium had 3 spots not 13* - by Brian Aranas

Before anyone gets angry at me please know that I’m not dumping on the achievements of our Canadian athletes.  This isn’t about their well-deserved medals.  Rather it’s about what Canada spent to get those results.

‘Own the Podium’ (for winter sports) and ‘Road to Excellence’ (for summer sports) were both started in 2006 by the Government of Canada after the country scored the dubious record of being the only country to host two Olympic Games (Montreal in 1976 and Calgary in 1988) and not win one gold at either Games.  The feds decided that at least $20 million a year would be spent on each program to help boost our medal counts.  Did it work for London 2012?  

China sent 396 athletes. 38 gold medals/87 total medals. The USA had 539 there representing them. Their gold medal count: 46. 104 total

Canada? 277 athletes in London and only one gold medal. 18 total.

The facts, plain and simple.  The lowest gold medal count for Canada since we scored zero back in Montreal.  Yes, we did get five silver and twelve bronze too. Good enough for 12th overall. 

Here’s the medal counts from previous Summer Games for Canada:

2008 — Gold:3 Silver:9 Bronze:6

2004 — G:3 S:6 B:3

2000 — G:3 S:3 B:8

1996 — G:3 S:11 B:8

1988 — G:3 S:2 B:5

So basically, since these programs started we’ve actually decreased the number of gold and silver medals we’ve won at the Summer Games.  Doesn't exactly scream: “Results!”

Sports will always be to the advantage of the wealthy.  Whether it’s through parents, sponsorships, scholarships or old-fashioned work-while-you-study-and-train-and-pay-your way, achieving your best in your chosen sports field is expensive.  How much should Canadians be willing to finance?  Does Canadian pride have a price? 

And does $33 million this year justify the number of medals we scored in London?  It really is hard to say yes to that.

Let’s face the facts:  We will always be stronger at the Winter Olympics.  If the government has to finance sports feed the money there.  We can never touch the medal counts of powerhouses like China and the United States at the Summer Games.  We just don’t have the resources to get to those levels.

Once again, congrats to those athletes, coaches, volunteers and parents.  You did a great job.  But for millions spent by the federal government this year can we really claim to ‘Own The Podium’?  The last time I checked, the podium had 3 places, not 13*.

-bri

* - we fell to #13 after final day results.  *sigh*