The 2010 Olympic Winter Games were surprising in many ways.
The way that the Olympics soldiered on after the tragic death of Georgian luger Nadar Kumaritashvili was, while not surprising, unspeakably sad and unreal and cast a pall over the Games. But how the Games soldiered on and turned into such a forum of fierce competition and determination was surprising.
The fact that Canada won 14 gold medals, after experiencing the drought of never having won an Olympic gold medal when we have hosted the Olympics, came as a surprise, maybe even a shock. More shocking still was that that number meant Canada tops the Winter Olympic gold medal tally of all time.
On Sunday afternoon when Team Canada took hockey gold, the win may have come as a surprise, at least to some.
But perhaps most surprising of all was the unsurpassed surge of patriotism that overtook the country. Canadians embraced these Games like never before. Finally, as Canadians, we’ve never been more proud to be so. We’ve discovered that we don’t need to apologize for who we are.
Now that the Olympics are over, the huge expense of these Games will likely be debated for years to come. But perhaps in the end, the way the Games united the country has made it all worth it.
Good thing the Paralympics are still to come. The enthusiasm and pride that has overtaken the country will surely continue when those Games get under way March 12.
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The Pemberton Public Library has extended the deadline for library card art submissions. The library needs new cards and is seeking submissions from adults and youths for art to go on the cards.
You can use up to four colours for your submission. The library will take care of including the library’s information. All artists have to do is submit their art. Art must be flat as it will be scanned into a computer. The final size of the piece will measure 8.5 x 5.5 centimetres. Please use the appropriate dimensions.
Submissions can be dropped off at the library or emailed to library@pemberton.bclibrary.ca.
The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 15. Library trustees will choose the cards at their March 16 meeting.
For more information, you can email the library at the above email address or call (604) 894-6916.
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