Whew! May We Have Our Money Back Now, Please?

I know lots of people in Canada get lots of thrills when Canadian athletes win medals at The Olympics. I don't, at least not much. And I certainly received negative utils from the "Own the Podium" campaign sponsored by the Canadian Olympic Committee. I sure hope they didn't get a whole tonne of taxpayer money to support their campaign "blueprint". As Michael said on his Facebook page,

With all due respect to the Canadian Olympic Committee, was this really ever in doubt?

And now they have admitted failure [h/t MT].

The head of the Canadian Olympic Committee told a media briefing Monday that Canada won't finish first in the medal count at the Vancouver Games.

Chris Rudge acknowledged it's unrealistic to catch the Americans.

Heading into Monday's competition, Canada is tied for fourth in the medal standings with nine. The Americans lead with 24.

Canada has spent $117 million in the last five years on Own The Podium, a blueprint to finish atop the medal standings at the Games.

It reminds me of the unhappy student a number of years ago who had written out a plan for being successful in university but just didn't have the ability to carry it out.

Comments

[Kara]

Formula for being Canadian: low expectations + beer= thrills for any and all achievements (including Olympic medals)

[Joshua]

"Formula for being Canadian"

Given the UK's current state, it could use a little bit of that forumula.

[JH]

I had some high hopes for our Olympic Ski team. The Austrians poor showing makes the American triumph all the more impressive. What went wrong in Canada? We've got some of the best terrain and best climates for winter sport!

Maybe we'll get it right next time.

[EclectEcon]

Canada probably needs you as coach, Jeff!

[bk]

Want our money back?!?! We are getting a bargain. We are considered on the low side of funding compared to other countries. So be happy with own the podium at the end of its funding we'll drop down to our previous levels and be getting an even better deal in 2014. To Kara's point back to low expectations and lots of beer.