Play Like A Girl

Good sportsmanship we hail, we sing,
It's always pleasant when you spot it
There's only one unhappy thing:
You have to lose to prove you've got it.

- Richard Armour

Do you know the way to be a great successful hockey player in Canada? Play like a girl. I just finished watching the Canadian women's hockey team win the gold medal in Vancouver, relegating the U.S. team to a silver medal finish after shutting them out of the final game 2 to 0. It was a really good game. The U.S. women out shot the Canadians but just couldn't find a way to put the puck in the net. The pace was fast, the crowd was enthusiastic and the quality of play was first-rate. At the end of the game both teams had reason to be proud of their performance.

I understand the disappointment the American women were experiencing at the end of the game. I can understand the tears and the long faces in the moments after the game. What I can't understand is how the long faces, sullen expressions and tears continued even through the medal ceremony while the silver medals were being hung around their necks. Going into the game, everyone was aware that someone would end the night with a gold and someone with a silver. Of course, both teams wanted to be golden but that couldn't be. Shouldn't the coaches be preparing their athletes in advance to behave with grace no matter what the outcome of the game. The Finns were ecstatic to be picking up their bronze medals. The American team did not lose, they were silver medal winners. How unfortunate that they couldn't enjoy the thrill of their medal victory. Instead of shining in their medal moment, they looked like a bunch of spoiled brats. How sad for them and for all the people who supported them.

On another note, I'm ready to blast the male commentators at CTV who continue to refer to our female Olympians as "girls". Tonight, one commentator even referred to the girl's hockey team. Skaters are called "girls". Skiers are called "girls". The gold and silver women's bobsleigh winners were called "girls" last night. And yet I can't think of a single time I've heard about the "boys" hockey team or the "boys" speed skaters, "boys" bobsleigh team, "boys" snowboarders..... This old girl has taken to screaming at the TV every time I hear it. At this rate, by the end of the week I should be completely hoarse.