Freya
gmilf
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Should athletes chosen to represent a country at the Olympics, be chosen based on their political beliefs or on their athleticism?
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/Sports/2004/07/20/549559.html
A real bearer for punishment
THE COC MADE A BIG MISTAKE PICKING AN ADMITTED SEPARATIST TO CARRY OUR FLAG AND JUDO HOPEFUL NICOLAS GILL COULD BE MADE TO PAY THE PRICE
By STEVE SIMMONS
AN ADMITTED separatist will carry the Canadian flag at the Summer Olympics in Athens. Nice.
Of course, nobody happened to mention that little fact at the two receptions held by the Canadian Olympic Committee yesterday. Either the politically correct COC wasn't aware of Nicolas Gill's past political affiliations -- which is quite possible -- or worse, it chose not to care.
Gill told The Toronto Sun's Steve Buffery in 1995 that he voted for Quebec sovereignty and feels "more like a Quebecer than I do a Canadian."
He said in the same interview it would be a "special feeling" to carry the (Fleur-de-lis) at a sporting event.
"I don't really compete for Canada," Gill said, "I compete for myself."
When asked about his comments in a telephone interview yesterday, Gill did not distance himself from his published views.
"I'm proud of being from Quebec," Gill said, trying to explain his position. "We are in Canada and I'm proud of that, too. You do what gives you the drive. It's really very personal. You have to do it for yourself.
"In Canada, we have different cultures and you should be proud of your culture. I'm very proud of my culture. But carrying the Maple Leaf will definitely be one of my greatest memories of my career."
Gill did not indicate he was misquoted in The Sun story of 1995 nor did he deny any of his past sentiments.
A five-person panel has elected Gill to lead the Canadian delegation into the Olympic Stadium, the worldwide stage for the opening ceremony in Athens, and can't you just hear the broadcasters.
Announcer: "And here comes Canada, led by Nicolas Gill."
Colour person: "Yes, Gill won Olympic medals in judo in 1992 in Barcelona and in the 2000 Games in Sydney, and in between he voted for the dismantling of his country."
Athletically, there is not much wrong with the choice of Gill to carry the flag. This is his fourth Olympic Games. He has twice won medals in judo. He has made something of a miraculous recovery from injury just to qualify for Athens. Ten times he has been a national champion. And yesterday, the COC referred to him the greatest judoka in Canadian history. Just who happens to be second greatest judoka in Canadian history is anyone's guess. But that's an argument best left for another day.
The case against Gill doesn't even have to begin with the fact he would rather represent one province than 10. But if you want to make the argument that the flag-bearer represents not only your country but your athletic ideals, that he represents your small window to the world, that whichever face you choose should be the face of your country, then the wrong choice has been made here.
"He's an outstanding ambassador," said Dave Bedford, Canada's chef de mission in Athens. "He's proud to carry the Canadian flag. I don't have a concern in the slightest about him.
"I don't believe politics has any place in sports. His personal convictions are up to him. They're not my business or your business."
While Bedford represents just one vote, it is his belief that the flag-bearer is chosen for "career achievement." The flag-bearer chosen to close the Games is selected for "accomplishment during those Games."
The choice could have been or should have been a returning gold medallist -- such as wrestler Daniel Igali, who adorned himself in the Canadian flag with tears in his eyes after winning in Sydney. And since then has repeated over and over his love and admiration for his adopted nation. That would have been too easy, impossible to argue against.
Instead, it was Nicolas Gill, and let the debate begin.
"For me, pressure is not a problem," Gill said. "I need pressure. I need stress. I need that."
And he's about to get all that -- and more.
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/Sports/2004/07/20/549559.html
A real bearer for punishment
THE COC MADE A BIG MISTAKE PICKING AN ADMITTED SEPARATIST TO CARRY OUR FLAG AND JUDO HOPEFUL NICOLAS GILL COULD BE MADE TO PAY THE PRICE
By STEVE SIMMONS
AN ADMITTED separatist will carry the Canadian flag at the Summer Olympics in Athens. Nice.
Of course, nobody happened to mention that little fact at the two receptions held by the Canadian Olympic Committee yesterday. Either the politically correct COC wasn't aware of Nicolas Gill's past political affiliations -- which is quite possible -- or worse, it chose not to care.
Gill told The Toronto Sun's Steve Buffery in 1995 that he voted for Quebec sovereignty and feels "more like a Quebecer than I do a Canadian."
He said in the same interview it would be a "special feeling" to carry the (Fleur-de-lis) at a sporting event.
"I don't really compete for Canada," Gill said, "I compete for myself."
When asked about his comments in a telephone interview yesterday, Gill did not distance himself from his published views.
"I'm proud of being from Quebec," Gill said, trying to explain his position. "We are in Canada and I'm proud of that, too. You do what gives you the drive. It's really very personal. You have to do it for yourself.
"In Canada, we have different cultures and you should be proud of your culture. I'm very proud of my culture. But carrying the Maple Leaf will definitely be one of my greatest memories of my career."
Gill did not indicate he was misquoted in The Sun story of 1995 nor did he deny any of his past sentiments.
A five-person panel has elected Gill to lead the Canadian delegation into the Olympic Stadium, the worldwide stage for the opening ceremony in Athens, and can't you just hear the broadcasters.
Announcer: "And here comes Canada, led by Nicolas Gill."
Colour person: "Yes, Gill won Olympic medals in judo in 1992 in Barcelona and in the 2000 Games in Sydney, and in between he voted for the dismantling of his country."
Athletically, there is not much wrong with the choice of Gill to carry the flag. This is his fourth Olympic Games. He has twice won medals in judo. He has made something of a miraculous recovery from injury just to qualify for Athens. Ten times he has been a national champion. And yesterday, the COC referred to him the greatest judoka in Canadian history. Just who happens to be second greatest judoka in Canadian history is anyone's guess. But that's an argument best left for another day.
The case against Gill doesn't even have to begin with the fact he would rather represent one province than 10. But if you want to make the argument that the flag-bearer represents not only your country but your athletic ideals, that he represents your small window to the world, that whichever face you choose should be the face of your country, then the wrong choice has been made here.
"He's an outstanding ambassador," said Dave Bedford, Canada's chef de mission in Athens. "He's proud to carry the Canadian flag. I don't have a concern in the slightest about him.
"I don't believe politics has any place in sports. His personal convictions are up to him. They're not my business or your business."
While Bedford represents just one vote, it is his belief that the flag-bearer is chosen for "career achievement." The flag-bearer chosen to close the Games is selected for "accomplishment during those Games."
The choice could have been or should have been a returning gold medallist -- such as wrestler Daniel Igali, who adorned himself in the Canadian flag with tears in his eyes after winning in Sydney. And since then has repeated over and over his love and admiration for his adopted nation. That would have been too easy, impossible to argue against.
Instead, it was Nicolas Gill, and let the debate begin.
"For me, pressure is not a problem," Gill said. "I need pressure. I need stress. I need that."
And he's about to get all that -- and more.
