I do not wish to appear opportunistic by referencing the tragic death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. I saw it live. I was horrified and sickened. My thoughts go out to his family, teammates and the entire Olympic community. It has certainly given all of us in Vancouver pause as we head into this once in a lifetime 17 day festival.
The anti-Olympic protesters in Vancouver this morning indeed have some legitimate grievances. And yet, in light of today's tragedy, I hope that they will see that while their plight is indeed dire (Vancouver's Downtown Eastside's issues are legion and legendary), the athlete's and supporters who come from around the world need not be used to to bolster their argument. Hopefully, funds generated from the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will find their way to the needy. Perhaps more dialogue and a little less confrontation would facilitate this positive step.
Nodar died pursuing his dream. Let us all honour his memory by supporting the myriad positives the Olympics have to offer each of us.
I do not wish to appear opportunistic by referencing the tragic death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. I saw the video on YouTube before it was taken down at the request of the IOC. I was horrified and sickened. My thoughts go out to his family, teammates and the entire Olympic community. It has certainly given all of us in Vancouver pause as we head into this once in a lifetime 17 day festival.
The anti-Olympic protesters in Vancouver this morning indeed have some legitimate grievances. And yet, in light of today's tragedy, I hope that they will see that while their plight is indeed dire (Vancouver's Downtown Eastside's issues are legion and legendary), the athlete's and supporters who come from around the world need not be used to to bolster their argument. Hopefully, funds generated from the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will find their way to the needy. Perhaps more dialogue and a little less confrontation would facilitate this positive step.
Nodar died pursuing his dream. Let us all honour his memory by supporting the myriad positives the Olympics have to offer each of us.
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