Three wise Olympians

All this talk of “Owning the Podium” is a distraction from what’s really happening at the Olympics.

Yes, the fascination with winning is healthy and something to be expected for fans of home country athletes. 

But failing to recognize the performances of those who haven’t claimed a medal is something to be avoided. 

There is, after all, a lot to be said for the struggle and the integrity of the Olympic journey in spite of the fact that it doesn’t always culminate with gold, silver or bronze.

A case in point is the experience of three Canadian women who raced in luge at Whistler.

No medals, no prizes to carry home and next to no appreciation of their efforts. Heck, they couldn’t even get on TV after the race was over — dropped from the lineup so hockey analysts could breakdown the ins and outs of a Canadian dismantling of Norwegians in a preliminary match.

It is understandable given our obsession with the hunt for hockey gold. 

Still, to dismiss the contributions of Regan Lauscher, Meaghen Simister and Alex Gough — athletes who persevered in spite of tragedy and major alterations to the field of play — seems less than Canadian.

Listen to what these three women had to say when their Olympic moment was over.

“It was the race of my life,” said Meaghan Simister of Regina.

“It’s the Olympics and you have to take what comes,” said Alex Gough of Calgary, as she considered the aftermath of a Georgian slider’s death, which tainted the competition.

“The greatest advice we get is to expect the unexpected. This was about rising to the challenge and coming through it.”

The last word belonged to Regan Lauscher of Red Deer, her third and last Olympic appearance behind her. There were no regrets at not having ascended the podium, but rather another sentiment vastly more important.

“Complete and total gratitude,” Lauscher said. “I feel extremely privileged to be Canadian and a Canadian athlete. It’s been an opportunity that I never could have dreamed of in a sport I wasn’t sure I wanted to do. Walking away from this with the experiences and friendships and all that I’ve had ... will be etched in my heart forever.”

It wasn’t about Owning the Podium for these wise athletes. It was about racing with purpose and dignity.

These are the most important things to possess at any Olympic Games.

– Gemini Award winner and author Scott Russell is the Host of CBC Sports Weekend seen Saturday afternoons. A 20-year CBC Sports veteran, he has covered a variety of professional and amateur sports including nine Olympic games and numerous world championships.