Final word on the Olympic flag bearing thing. Don Cherry called the athletes who have asked their federations not to nominate them to carry the Canadian flag at next month's Olympics a "disgrace".
Cherry has been wagging his finger of shame at cross-country skier Beckie Scott, bobsledder Pierre Leuders and speed skaters Cindy Klassen and Clara Hughes.
"For these skiers and them to say they don't want to carry the flag because their performance might be hurt (is) a disgrace - you're a disgrace as far as I'm concerned," Cherry said. "You took the money from the country and you don't want to carry the flag."
A lot of people have gone along with that, many even labelling the athletes in question anti-Canadian.
Yes, it does seem like walking a lap with a flag isn’t really a great physical ordeal. But I want medal winners not flag bearers. If these athletes, all medal favourites, think it will affect them, either physically or mentally, then it probably will.
As for this crap about them not being patriotic, that’s just stupid. If that were true, then you’d also have Canadian athletes turning down a chance to carry the flag in the closing ceremonies. I’m too lazy to do a poll but I have no problem predicting that every single Canadian asked would say yes in a heartbeat.
As for "the money" Cherry speaks of, that's the true disgrace. With the pittance we give these kids, why wouldn't these medal favourites go off and compete elsewhere with better funding and chances at a bigger payday? Oh yeah. I forgot. They love their country.
