“Canada will not own the podium” - Chris Rudge, the chief executive of the Canadian Olympic Committee (February 22, 2010)

In the wake of disappointing results by Canadian athletes, Chris Rudge declared that Canada would not meet its goal of taking home the most medals. However, as the COC declared defeat, Canadian athletes stepped up their game and began capturing medals (mostly gold). Almost as if to spite the COC, Canada began its climb towards the top of the medal standings. We may not have been able to own the podium based on the original goal, but in the end we really did end up owning the podium.

Sidney Crosby celebrates after scoring in OT to win gold

The Canadian Men’s hockey gold over USA was the giant exclamation point on Canada’s record 14 gold medal haul and 26 total medals which put us in third place on the overall medal standings. The 14 gold medals won by Canada sets a new Winter Olympics record (Previously 13, Norway 2002) and is also a new record for most gold medals won by the host country.

As we celebrate Canada’s strong finish at the 2010 Winter Olympics, we must also not forget that the Vancouver games began on a very sad note. The death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili on a training run during the opening day will remain in the hearts of everyone. John Furlong, head of the Vancouver organizing committee expressed his hope that Kumaritashvili’s death will never be forgotten and instead be an inspiration to youths everywhere to be champions in life.

We may not be as loud and boisterous as our neighbors to the south, but we are just as patriotic. For the past 17 days, visitors from around the world got a taste of our patriotism and as they return home they will forever be reminded that Canada is not a giant slab of frozen tundra, that Canadians don’t live in igloos, or travel by dog sleds. They will never forget our hospitality, Tim Horton’s and of course they will never forget that Team Canada won gold in overtime when Sid the Kid scored. Hopefully, after the sting wears off they will return to visit Canada again.

Now you know us, eh?