Dear Editor,

Well, we did not own the podium. We rented it to Americans for the February. We did, however, own the top step on the podium, the one reserved for No. 1s. And we won hockey. We are No. 1. Eat that, U.S.A. and Colbert! Way to go Canadian team!

These were my fourth live Olympic Games. They also mark my transformation from a strong Olympic fan to a strong critic. I am asking myself how long the IOC will be able to find sucker cities and countries to stage these prohibitively expensive spectacles. Yes, it was amazing, but I would cheer more if Harper announced that we have eradicated child poverty and homelessness. 

There are already rumours that London Games will be 10 times over budget. A $100 billion Games? And Brazil will probably have to hire one policeman for every visitor so that he/she is not mugged five metres from the hotel. That may bankrupt them. See where Greece is now.

I have a solution for IOC. Stage the Games with computer graphics, virtual reality and avatars. No pesky spectators, no transportation problems, no injured and dead athletes, no security problems, no weather problems, no human rights violations, no gender discrimination. And totally green games. In 10 years this could be possible. Opening ceremonies are already halfway there.

Drago Arh

Whistler