The last few years at Queen's have been full of change. New facilities, building construction, street redesign and upgrading, new policies, faculty and staff retirements and new hires....the list is long.
The next few years must be seen as a period of "entrenchment." This isn't stagnation, not doing anything, standing pat. It is insuring that initiatives of the past few years are incorporated into the university's modus operandi.
It takes a particular kind of person to do this effectively, not "just anybody."
Let's hope that those who identify the criteria essential for the next Principal, take this into account.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Queen's and It's Most Recent Principal
It's not easy for an organization to lose the person who holds the top position, particularly when the person is expected to continue in the job.
Until the AMS passed its resolution in March, there had only been rumblings and grapevine talk about the job that the principal was doing. The resolution forced, fortunately, the talk-over-coffee out into the open.
I was fortunate to be a part of a group called "The Group for Excellence." Its sole raison d'etre was to provide expert input into the physical activity component of the Queen's Centre. The group met for almost 3 years, developed a program for the facility, met with key persons on campus who were involved in the process, lobbied the trustees, and ultimately met with Principal Hitchcock to explain our suggestions, and try to have her understand the tremendous benefits of the university building a 50m swimming pool.
It was at this meeting (with one other graduate of Queen's, and the Principal) that I began to understand that she really didn't want to hear what we had to say, and really didn't care at all. Our meeting was half an hour. We had carefully planned the key points to make, the rationale, and the counter-arguments we expected her to make. We barely opened our mouths before SHE began to talk. She pretty well talked the whole time. We did make our key point, but it was quite clear that she had made up her mind and there was no point in our banging our heads against a concrete wall.
In all the years I have worked with others who are committed to a project, the "Group for Excellence" was the most satisfying, and the least satisfying. A group of about 15 people with wide sport interests agreed that the greater good would be served by our working together.
Never have I presented an idea to someone who not only refused to listen, but insisted in talking the whole time.
So the resolution that the AMS passed didn't surprise me, and it didn't surprise me to hear that students on campus think she doesn't connect with them. She doesn't.
Communication is a 2 way thing, and listening requires "hearing" what others are saying. One of the common techniques to effective listening is to concentrate on what is being said, and NOT getting ready to counter the arguments.
It has been said that her gender and American citizenship were the factors that did her in. It is more than that. She never really understood the "culture"of Queen's, the "Big Four" universities, or the traditions that (for good and bad) are entrenched in this institution. There's stuff at this university that creates the culture of this university; it has been here forever, and every year, it gets further entrenched.
Bill Leggett wasn't a Queen's grad, but he knew the MGill culture, not the same as Queen's, but a unique culture that differentiates it from every other university. And certainly differentiates it from any American university/college. And Leggett was liked by the students.
Principal Hitchcock never figured it out, didn't seem to be TRYING to figure it out.
We missed her at football games in the fall, except for the "command performance" at homecoming. Her presence there would have sent a positive message to students, and more importantly, to alumni who populate the west grandstand, and who cough up the bucks.
When the powers-that-be get down to deciding what the next principal needs, let's hope that they decide that being a Queen's grad is essential. The pieces need to be gathered up and put back together again, and only a Queen's grad can do that.
This is THE essential ingredient for the next principal.
Until the AMS passed its resolution in March, there had only been rumblings and grapevine talk about the job that the principal was doing. The resolution forced, fortunately, the talk-over-coffee out into the open.
I was fortunate to be a part of a group called "The Group for Excellence." Its sole raison d'etre was to provide expert input into the physical activity component of the Queen's Centre. The group met for almost 3 years, developed a program for the facility, met with key persons on campus who were involved in the process, lobbied the trustees, and ultimately met with Principal Hitchcock to explain our suggestions, and try to have her understand the tremendous benefits of the university building a 50m swimming pool.
It was at this meeting (with one other graduate of Queen's, and the Principal) that I began to understand that she really didn't want to hear what we had to say, and really didn't care at all. Our meeting was half an hour. We had carefully planned the key points to make, the rationale, and the counter-arguments we expected her to make. We barely opened our mouths before SHE began to talk. She pretty well talked the whole time. We did make our key point, but it was quite clear that she had made up her mind and there was no point in our banging our heads against a concrete wall.
In all the years I have worked with others who are committed to a project, the "Group for Excellence" was the most satisfying, and the least satisfying. A group of about 15 people with wide sport interests agreed that the greater good would be served by our working together.
Never have I presented an idea to someone who not only refused to listen, but insisted in talking the whole time.
So the resolution that the AMS passed didn't surprise me, and it didn't surprise me to hear that students on campus think she doesn't connect with them. She doesn't.
Communication is a 2 way thing, and listening requires "hearing" what others are saying. One of the common techniques to effective listening is to concentrate on what is being said, and NOT getting ready to counter the arguments.
It has been said that her gender and American citizenship were the factors that did her in. It is more than that. She never really understood the "culture"of Queen's, the "Big Four" universities, or the traditions that (for good and bad) are entrenched in this institution. There's stuff at this university that creates the culture of this university; it has been here forever, and every year, it gets further entrenched.
Bill Leggett wasn't a Queen's grad, but he knew the MGill culture, not the same as Queen's, but a unique culture that differentiates it from every other university. And certainly differentiates it from any American university/college. And Leggett was liked by the students.
Principal Hitchcock never figured it out, didn't seem to be TRYING to figure it out.
We missed her at football games in the fall, except for the "command performance" at homecoming. Her presence there would have sent a positive message to students, and more importantly, to alumni who populate the west grandstand, and who cough up the bucks.
When the powers-that-be get down to deciding what the next principal needs, let's hope that they decide that being a Queen's grad is essential. The pieces need to be gathered up and put back together again, and only a Queen's grad can do that.
This is THE essential ingredient for the next principal.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
It Matters A LOT
Patrons to the new arena in downtown Kingston have reported a lot of unfortunate things about the facility. The most recent, and perhaps the most irritating, is the fact that the Canadian flag is flying incorrectly.
Canadian flag protocol requires that when two flags are being flown, the Canadian flag is placed to the left of the other nation's flag. This is not quite written in (lime)stone, but almost.
In the new rink, the Canadian flag is being flown on the right of the USA flag.
Apparently, when this was brought to the attention (twice, at least) of the rink's management, the person who pointed this out, was told that it would require a cherry-picker -type of equipment to change it. The inference being that it would cost a lot of money to hire one, and it wasn't worth the cost.
Here's the news: it IS worth the cost of renting the necessary equipment.
In this town, there ARE a lot of people who think that it is important to fly the Canadian flag correctly. And, in fact, there are a lot of Canadians who think that too. And I am one. It is important to fly the flag correctly. Not just now, or in Kingston where the armed forces are constantly present, but in every town and hamlet in this country.
If this matters so little to the rink's management, is there anything that matters MORE? Oh yes. Selling tickets.
Speaking of which, in an unprompted conversation today, a woman told me of her recent visit to the rink to get tickets for some show. She was told that there were none there, but she could get them online.
"Online?" she said.
"Yes. They have them online."
Heavens....all those add-ons, coming to almost $15.00 per ticket! The management makes it so that if one wants tickets, they have to be bought online, even if the customer is standing right there at the ticket wicket. What a rip-off.
This is another example of the cavalier attitude demonstrated at the new rink.
Someone should tell Councillor Hector that the flags are being flown incorrectly. Then, get your stopwatch out, and see how long it takes to order up a cherry picker! Nanoseconds!!!!
Canadian flag protocol requires that when two flags are being flown, the Canadian flag is placed to the left of the other nation's flag. This is not quite written in (lime)stone, but almost.
In the new rink, the Canadian flag is being flown on the right of the USA flag.
Apparently, when this was brought to the attention (twice, at least) of the rink's management, the person who pointed this out, was told that it would require a cherry-picker -type of equipment to change it. The inference being that it would cost a lot of money to hire one, and it wasn't worth the cost.
Here's the news: it IS worth the cost of renting the necessary equipment.
In this town, there ARE a lot of people who think that it is important to fly the Canadian flag correctly. And, in fact, there are a lot of Canadians who think that too. And I am one. It is important to fly the flag correctly. Not just now, or in Kingston where the armed forces are constantly present, but in every town and hamlet in this country.
If this matters so little to the rink's management, is there anything that matters MORE? Oh yes. Selling tickets.
Speaking of which, in an unprompted conversation today, a woman told me of her recent visit to the rink to get tickets for some show. She was told that there were none there, but she could get them online.
"Online?" she said.
"Yes. They have them online."
Heavens....all those add-ons, coming to almost $15.00 per ticket! The management makes it so that if one wants tickets, they have to be bought online, even if the customer is standing right there at the ticket wicket. What a rip-off.
This is another example of the cavalier attitude demonstrated at the new rink.
Someone should tell Councillor Hector that the flags are being flown incorrectly. Then, get your stopwatch out, and see how long it takes to order up a cherry picker! Nanoseconds!!!!
Saturday, April 05, 2008
MEMO TO HARPER: Don't even think about a boycott.
THE CANADIAN PRESS, MONTREAL, April 4, 2008
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says it's too early to talk about any boycott of the 2008 Olympics, but most athletes would prefer to simply strike the dreaded b-word from the dictionary.
The thought of missing the Beijing Olympics weighs heavily on the minds of many Canadian athletes who have spent a lifetime training for the global athletic event. Politics and sports just don't mix, says Canadian swimming sensation Brent Hayden. "I'm an athlete, I'm not a politician and I'm going to compete at the Games no matter where they're held," Hayden said Friday during Olympic swimming trials in Montreal.
China's violent crackdown on riots in Tibet has prompted human rights groups to call for a boycott of the Games. Amnesty International has accused China of human rights abuses.
Harper won't attend the opening ceremony in August. Instead he will send a high-level delegation to represent Canada. The prime minister said his absence has nothing to do with a boycott and that he planned to skip the ceremonies long before the unrest in Tibet. The Canadian Olympic Committee would not comment on Harper skipping the ceremony. There is no set protocol on whether a prime minister or head of state should attend and rulers around the world are making different plans.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has mused he and the entire French team might boycott the opening ceremonies while allowing athletes to take part in competition. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she will take a pass on the opening while U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown plan to attend.
Calgary swimmer Mike Brown says he won't boycott the Games, but he wouldn't hold it against any athlete who did. "I would have liked (Harper) to have been there," Brown said. But the 23-year-old Brown says the thought of missing the Games is unfathomable. "I would be very heartbroken if everything gets put on hold," Brown said. "For somebody else to decide that we're not allowed to compete at the Games? That doesn't seem right to me."
Most Canadians seem to be on the same page as the athletes. A survey by Harris-Decima conducted at the end of March found only 13 per cent of Canadians supported a boycott, though more than half wanted some form of protest that would still allow Canadian athletes to compete. Pierre Lafontaine, Swimming Canada's CEO and head coach, says his team likely won't take part in the opening ceremonies as his athletes' competition begins the following morning. "I don't think the swimming team has ever gone because it takes four or five days to recover," Lafontaine said. But any boycott talk irks Lafontaine, who said "boycotting the games has never worked, is never good." Boycotts only hurt the morale of young athletes who have spent a lifetime training for an Olympic spot, he said. "This is the one common denominator around the world that brings people together," Lafontaine said. "It's the one thing -- it's not religion, it's not politics -- it's sports."
First-time Olympian Tanya Hunks says she has sacrificed too much to even fathom the idea of not going to the Games. "It kind of breaks my heart," Hunks said of boycott talk. "I've put my life on hold for this and so many athletes have." Hunks says boycotting the games in the past has shown no benefits, referring to Canada's boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. "Waking up at 5 a.m. is hard, so we deserve" to go, said the 27-year-old Vancouver native.
This week there were signs that tension is easing in Tibet as the Chinese government announced it would reopen the region to tourism by May. However, reports Friday said China's state media were reporting new violence had broken out in a volatile Tibetan region, leaving at least one government official seriously injured.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says it's too early to talk about any boycott of the 2008 Olympics, but most athletes would prefer to simply strike the dreaded b-word from the dictionary.
The thought of missing the Beijing Olympics weighs heavily on the minds of many Canadian athletes who have spent a lifetime training for the global athletic event. Politics and sports just don't mix, says Canadian swimming sensation Brent Hayden. "I'm an athlete, I'm not a politician and I'm going to compete at the Games no matter where they're held," Hayden said Friday during Olympic swimming trials in Montreal.
China's violent crackdown on riots in Tibet has prompted human rights groups to call for a boycott of the Games. Amnesty International has accused China of human rights abuses.
Harper won't attend the opening ceremony in August. Instead he will send a high-level delegation to represent Canada. The prime minister said his absence has nothing to do with a boycott and that he planned to skip the ceremonies long before the unrest in Tibet. The Canadian Olympic Committee would not comment on Harper skipping the ceremony. There is no set protocol on whether a prime minister or head of state should attend and rulers around the world are making different plans.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has mused he and the entire French team might boycott the opening ceremonies while allowing athletes to take part in competition. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she will take a pass on the opening while U.S. President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown plan to attend.
Calgary swimmer Mike Brown says he won't boycott the Games, but he wouldn't hold it against any athlete who did. "I would have liked (Harper) to have been there," Brown said. But the 23-year-old Brown says the thought of missing the Games is unfathomable. "I would be very heartbroken if everything gets put on hold," Brown said. "For somebody else to decide that we're not allowed to compete at the Games? That doesn't seem right to me."
Most Canadians seem to be on the same page as the athletes. A survey by Harris-Decima conducted at the end of March found only 13 per cent of Canadians supported a boycott, though more than half wanted some form of protest that would still allow Canadian athletes to compete. Pierre Lafontaine, Swimming Canada's CEO and head coach, says his team likely won't take part in the opening ceremonies as his athletes' competition begins the following morning. "I don't think the swimming team has ever gone because it takes four or five days to recover," Lafontaine said. But any boycott talk irks Lafontaine, who said "boycotting the games has never worked, is never good." Boycotts only hurt the morale of young athletes who have spent a lifetime training for an Olympic spot, he said. "This is the one common denominator around the world that brings people together," Lafontaine said. "It's the one thing -- it's not religion, it's not politics -- it's sports."
First-time Olympian Tanya Hunks says she has sacrificed too much to even fathom the idea of not going to the Games. "It kind of breaks my heart," Hunks said of boycott talk. "I've put my life on hold for this and so many athletes have." Hunks says boycotting the games in the past has shown no benefits, referring to Canada's boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. "Waking up at 5 a.m. is hard, so we deserve" to go, said the 27-year-old Vancouver native.
This week there were signs that tension is easing in Tibet as the Chinese government announced it would reopen the region to tourism by May. However, reports Friday said China's state media were reporting new violence had broken out in a volatile Tibetan region, leaving at least one government official seriously injured.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Exciting Week for Canadian Swimming!
The Canadian Olympic swim team will be chosen this week at the Olympic Pool in Montreal.
This is a great week to check out CBC TV at 6.30pm for daily updates, and Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm for the finale.
There are Kingston area swimmers in the pool, swimming theeir hearts out, hoping to make the 2008 team, but definitely setting the stage for 20012 in London, or 2016.
Check out www.swimming.ca
for live coverage, and updates.
Canadian swimming has entered a new exciting era, led by retired Olympian swimmer Dan Thompson (President) and CEO Pierre Lafontaine. Inspired leadership. Get behind them!
This is a great week to check out CBC TV at 6.30pm for daily updates, and Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm for the finale.
There are Kingston area swimmers in the pool, swimming theeir hearts out, hoping to make the 2008 team, but definitely setting the stage for 20012 in London, or 2016.
Check out www.swimming.ca
for live coverage, and updates.
Canadian swimming has entered a new exciting era, led by retired Olympian swimmer Dan Thompson (President) and CEO Pierre Lafontaine. Inspired leadership. Get behind them!
Public Tears Really Are Private
Jennifer Jones' team won the World Curling Championship yesterday. It was a great game to watch, with an end that pleases Canadians.
If you have stood at the top of the podium, you will know about tears. If you have led or coached a team or athletes who have stood there, you will know about tears.
If you have not done any of these things, don't make any assumptions about tears. Although public, they are priviate, and unique. For every person whose tears well up, the reasons are private and are often never spoken.
Be happy for athletes at the top of the podium. Help them savour the moment, and the moments that follow. They never want it to end.
"It was great," said second Jill Officer, 32. "Loud and proud, baby. It was awesome and when the beat really picks up at the end there, I just totally had chills all the way down my body."
Wonderful!
If you have stood at the top of the podium, you will know about tears. If you have led or coached a team or athletes who have stood there, you will know about tears.
If you have not done any of these things, don't make any assumptions about tears. Although public, they are priviate, and unique. For every person whose tears well up, the reasons are private and are often never spoken.
Be happy for athletes at the top of the podium. Help them savour the moment, and the moments that follow. They never want it to end.
"It was great," said second Jill Officer, 32. "Loud and proud, baby. It was awesome and when the beat really picks up at the end there, I just totally had chills all the way down my body."
Wonderful!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Swim Canada OLYMPIC TRIALS
Montreal, April 1-6,2008.
Hit the wall first; go to Beijing. Not complicated, no subjectivity. Clean and simple.
And how well Kingston will be represented, in spite of our wait for an aquatic complex!
NEWS Update from KAARS, Kingston Association of Aquatic Recreation & Sport.....
Kingston Supports Its Olympic Hopefuls
To show our support to the half dozen Kingston swimmers competing in a number of events at the Olympic trials, Kingston Sport Tourism of KEDCO and the Kingston Association of Aquatic Recreation and Sport (KAARS) joined efforts to sponsor the women’s 400m medley relay event at the CN (sponsored by Canadian National Corp) Canadian Olympic Swimming Trials, a six-day national competition that will take place April 1-6 at the Olympic Park Pool in Montreal, QC.
Canada’s elite swimmers will compete at the trials to earn a place on Canada’s Beijing Olympic Team. Touching the wall first is all that matters in making the Team. This will include the 24-year old Elizabeth Wycliffe, Kingston Kiwanis Amateur Athlete of the Year, from the Ernestown Barracudas Swim Club who presently trains at the University of Texas. Wycliffe is ranked as Canada’s number one swimmer for that event. She’s also number one ranked in the 100m backstroke.
This is just one hopeful that is trying out for the team as five more Kingston swimmers have qualified to compete at the Trials. We have two 18-year olds, Jessica Craig and Pamela Ruksys, 17-year old Benjamin Roberts and then Allie Duff at 14. The biggest surprise of all is Amanda McCormack who is only 12. They are all working to position themselves in Canada’s swimming ranks, and we are very proud to be supporting them.
Each day, swimmers will be nominated to the Olympic & Paralympic Team as they race their speciality event. All members of Canada’s swim team will be nominated at the 2008 Canadian Olympic Swimming Trials in Montreal.
Forty to fifty of Kingston’s swimming enthusiasts will be travelling to the Montreal Olympic Pool over the weekend to watch the competition. There are seats on the bus (including entry ticket) still available for the April 5th finals at $40 each/double. If interested in getting on board contact KBMtour@kingston.net . There will be CBC coverage on Saturday afternoon with taped hi-lites broadcast on Monday, April 7th (check your listings). All-in-all, Kingston should be proud regardless of the outcome.
Visit www.ktownaquaticcentre.ca
for updates on the swimming trials, and for news about out efforts, along with city staff and many supportive citizens, to build an AQUATIC CENTRE in Kingston. It's time! We're in the right location!
Just think....if we had an AQUATIC CENTRE in Kingston, young Olympic hopeful AMANDA MCCORMACK would be able to stay here to train for the 2016 Olympic Games, and our local children could train alongside her, and become the best they could be!
An exciting thought, so let's have a KINGSTON AQUATIC CENTRE!
Hit the wall first; go to Beijing. Not complicated, no subjectivity. Clean and simple.
And how well Kingston will be represented, in spite of our wait for an aquatic complex!
NEWS Update from KAARS, Kingston Association of Aquatic Recreation & Sport.....
Kingston Supports Its Olympic Hopefuls
To show our support to the half dozen Kingston swimmers competing in a number of events at the Olympic trials, Kingston Sport Tourism of KEDCO and the Kingston Association of Aquatic Recreation and Sport (KAARS) joined efforts to sponsor the women’s 400m medley relay event at the CN (sponsored by Canadian National Corp) Canadian Olympic Swimming Trials, a six-day national competition that will take place April 1-6 at the Olympic Park Pool in Montreal, QC.
Canada’s elite swimmers will compete at the trials to earn a place on Canada’s Beijing Olympic Team. Touching the wall first is all that matters in making the Team. This will include the 24-year old Elizabeth Wycliffe, Kingston Kiwanis Amateur Athlete of the Year, from the Ernestown Barracudas Swim Club who presently trains at the University of Texas. Wycliffe is ranked as Canada’s number one swimmer for that event. She’s also number one ranked in the 100m backstroke.
This is just one hopeful that is trying out for the team as five more Kingston swimmers have qualified to compete at the Trials. We have two 18-year olds, Jessica Craig and Pamela Ruksys, 17-year old Benjamin Roberts and then Allie Duff at 14. The biggest surprise of all is Amanda McCormack who is only 12. They are all working to position themselves in Canada’s swimming ranks, and we are very proud to be supporting them.
Each day, swimmers will be nominated to the Olympic & Paralympic Team as they race their speciality event. All members of Canada’s swim team will be nominated at the 2008 Canadian Olympic Swimming Trials in Montreal.
Forty to fifty of Kingston’s swimming enthusiasts will be travelling to the Montreal Olympic Pool over the weekend to watch the competition. There are seats on the bus (including entry ticket) still available for the April 5th finals at $40 each/double. If interested in getting on board contact KBMtour@kingston.net . There will be CBC coverage on Saturday afternoon with taped hi-lites broadcast on Monday, April 7th (check your listings). All-in-all, Kingston should be proud regardless of the outcome.
Visit www.ktownaquaticcentre.ca
for updates on the swimming trials, and for news about out efforts, along with city staff and many supportive citizens, to build an AQUATIC CENTRE in Kingston. It's time! We're in the right location!
Just think....if we had an AQUATIC CENTRE in Kingston, young Olympic hopeful AMANDA MCCORMACK would be able to stay here to train for the 2016 Olympic Games, and our local children could train alongside her, and become the best they could be!
An exciting thought, so let's have a KINGSTON AQUATIC CENTRE!
Olympics: Jittery sponsors stay loyal to China, but worry in private
Olympics: Jittery sponsors stay loyal to China, but worry in private
March 28, 2008
from AFP
BEIJING (AFP) — Big corporations are still loyal backers of the Beijing Olympics, looking beyond boycott calls and protests over Tibet, Darfur and human rights to their long term interests in China.
Firms such as Coca-Cola, Visa, Volkswagen and Adidas are jittery about the bad news swirling around the Games but are even more worried about offending Beijing's rulers, according to experts.
"The Chinese government is the gatekeeper to 1.3 billion potential consumers so they are choosing their words carefully," said Damien Ryan, a Hong Kong-based media advisor with Ryan Financial Communications.
"Nobody wants to say a word that could be used against them down the road."
As recently as three months ago the Beijing Olympics looked like a win-win marketing dream for the world's top companies who fought tooth and nail, and paid tens of millions of dollars, for the right to sponsor the event.
The opportunities remain dazzling in a country where the consumer base is measured in hundreds of millions, but suddenly the companies find themselves in a position where they have to explain themselves.
"The line so far is that the Olympics are a force for good and sponsors are part of that change for good," said Ryan.
But sponsors have been unable to deflect pressure from campaign groups who are urging them to bring pressure to bear on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and on the Beijing Games organisers.
Group such as the Students for a Free Tibet, which want the IOC to reroute the torch relay to eliminate the Tibet leg, are planning to launch grass roots campaigns targeting sponsors.
Dream for Darfur, an organisation set up to pressure China into helping end the bloodshed in the western Sudanese region, has also urged Olympic sponsors to speak out publicly on the issue.
Those who fail to do so will face "intensive advocacy," that may include demonstrations at corporate headquarters, said Jill Savitt, the group's director.
Coca-Cola, Samsung and computer maker Lenovo, which are sponsors of the torch relay in addition to being top Olympic sponsors, and other firms have shown no signs of wavering publicly on their backing for the event or the Games themselves.
Coca-Cola said in a statement it was "inappropriate" for sponsors to comment on the political situation of individual nations and that it "firmly believed the Olympics are a force for good."
"We remain committed to supporting the torch relay, which provides a unique opportunity to share the Olympic values of unity, pride and inspiration with people all over the world," the firm added.
Adidas, another veteran Olympic sponsor, expressed concern about Tibet and also addressed boycott calls.
"We are concerned about the recent situation in Tibet. We hope that the situation will calm down very soon," the firm said in a statement.
"We believe that a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games would be counter-productive and we have therefore reiterated our commitment to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games."
Privately, however, firms are worried, according to western marketing experts in Beijing.
They have appointed crisis management teams, increased their budgets for media consultants, and have been talking privately to the Beijing Olympic organising committee, which has invited sponsors to Beijing for talks later this month
At least one multinational sponsor is considering cutting its budget for Olympic-related marketing in the west because it fears a possible consumer backlash there, where opposition to China's Tibet crackdown is high.
The sponsors have also become more conciliatory towards human rights and other groups.
Last year, multinational Olympic sponsors refused to meet with Dream for Darfur representatives.
That has changed. Savitt and Hollywood actress Mia Farrow, the organisation's founder, have been meeting with sponsors for the past week in the United States.
Nicholas Bequelin, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, said big firms were also "much more open to meeting with us and hearing from us."
"We have told them that there are high reputational risks to be associated with any event that takes place in a one party dictatorship," he said.
March 28, 2008
from AFP
BEIJING (AFP) — Big corporations are still loyal backers of the Beijing Olympics, looking beyond boycott calls and protests over Tibet, Darfur and human rights to their long term interests in China.
Firms such as Coca-Cola, Visa, Volkswagen and Adidas are jittery about the bad news swirling around the Games but are even more worried about offending Beijing's rulers, according to experts.
"The Chinese government is the gatekeeper to 1.3 billion potential consumers so they are choosing their words carefully," said Damien Ryan, a Hong Kong-based media advisor with Ryan Financial Communications.
"Nobody wants to say a word that could be used against them down the road."
As recently as three months ago the Beijing Olympics looked like a win-win marketing dream for the world's top companies who fought tooth and nail, and paid tens of millions of dollars, for the right to sponsor the event.
The opportunities remain dazzling in a country where the consumer base is measured in hundreds of millions, but suddenly the companies find themselves in a position where they have to explain themselves.
"The line so far is that the Olympics are a force for good and sponsors are part of that change for good," said Ryan.
But sponsors have been unable to deflect pressure from campaign groups who are urging them to bring pressure to bear on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and on the Beijing Games organisers.
Group such as the Students for a Free Tibet, which want the IOC to reroute the torch relay to eliminate the Tibet leg, are planning to launch grass roots campaigns targeting sponsors.
Dream for Darfur, an organisation set up to pressure China into helping end the bloodshed in the western Sudanese region, has also urged Olympic sponsors to speak out publicly on the issue.
Those who fail to do so will face "intensive advocacy," that may include demonstrations at corporate headquarters, said Jill Savitt, the group's director.
Coca-Cola, Samsung and computer maker Lenovo, which are sponsors of the torch relay in addition to being top Olympic sponsors, and other firms have shown no signs of wavering publicly on their backing for the event or the Games themselves.
Coca-Cola said in a statement it was "inappropriate" for sponsors to comment on the political situation of individual nations and that it "firmly believed the Olympics are a force for good."
"We remain committed to supporting the torch relay, which provides a unique opportunity to share the Olympic values of unity, pride and inspiration with people all over the world," the firm added.
Adidas, another veteran Olympic sponsor, expressed concern about Tibet and also addressed boycott calls.
"We are concerned about the recent situation in Tibet. We hope that the situation will calm down very soon," the firm said in a statement.
"We believe that a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games would be counter-productive and we have therefore reiterated our commitment to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games."
Privately, however, firms are worried, according to western marketing experts in Beijing.
They have appointed crisis management teams, increased their budgets for media consultants, and have been talking privately to the Beijing Olympic organising committee, which has invited sponsors to Beijing for talks later this month
At least one multinational sponsor is considering cutting its budget for Olympic-related marketing in the west because it fears a possible consumer backlash there, where opposition to China's Tibet crackdown is high.
The sponsors have also become more conciliatory towards human rights and other groups.
Last year, multinational Olympic sponsors refused to meet with Dream for Darfur representatives.
That has changed. Savitt and Hollywood actress Mia Farrow, the organisation's founder, have been meeting with sponsors for the past week in the United States.
Nicholas Bequelin, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, said big firms were also "much more open to meeting with us and hearing from us."
"We have told them that there are high reputational risks to be associated with any event that takes place in a one party dictatorship," he said.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Now Here's a Ridiculous Idea
To think that Kingstonians, or Ontarians in general, would support another tax, is unimaginable. Yet, a Kingstonian who holds a high office, is floating that idea. A municipal tax for infrastructure.
Yesterday, the Mayor of Sarnia said that she does not support a municipal tax. Others have spoken out against this incredible idea, long before the Mayor of Sarnia said it.
It's another bone-headed idea, to match the one in which the city shoe-horned its new rink into one downtown block, made no provision for parking, did not conduct credible traffic studies prior to deciding to build there, had virtually no idea where the money was to come from, ignored thousands of local taxpayers who opposed the location, and counted on federal government support when there was little (if any) support noticeable from the feds.
Then, in the time since construction started, had the audacity to beat on the federal government on a number of issues and STILL expect it to give, not $4 million, but $8 million!
Kingstonians can barely comprehend all this.
Yesterday, the Mayor of Sarnia said that she does not support a municipal tax. Others have spoken out against this incredible idea, long before the Mayor of Sarnia said it.
It's another bone-headed idea, to match the one in which the city shoe-horned its new rink into one downtown block, made no provision for parking, did not conduct credible traffic studies prior to deciding to build there, had virtually no idea where the money was to come from, ignored thousands of local taxpayers who opposed the location, and counted on federal government support when there was little (if any) support noticeable from the feds.
Then, in the time since construction started, had the audacity to beat on the federal government on a number of issues and STILL expect it to give, not $4 million, but $8 million!
Kingstonians can barely comprehend all this.
NO Boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games
Speak up.
Canada should not boycott the 2008 OG.
No athlete would support it, espeecially those who were hurt by the 1980 boycott. Those athletes, including Sue Holloway, kayaker at the time, have had 28 years to reflect on it. It's amazing that they don't seem bitter.
The Canadian government can't tell the COC what to do, but it sure can make it dreadful for athletes. The federal government gives very little money to the COC, but, recently it has provided funding for Own The Podium (summer and winter versions), and this government wouldn't think twice about cutting off that funding.
So, while there's little taxpayer money in the actual team or Missin Staff, there is considerable funding in federally-supported programs.
Canada should not boycott the 2008 OG.
No athlete would support it, espeecially those who were hurt by the 1980 boycott. Those athletes, including Sue Holloway, kayaker at the time, have had 28 years to reflect on it. It's amazing that they don't seem bitter.
The Canadian government can't tell the COC what to do, but it sure can make it dreadful for athletes. The federal government gives very little money to the COC, but, recently it has provided funding for Own The Podium (summer and winter versions), and this government wouldn't think twice about cutting off that funding.
So, while there's little taxpayer money in the actual team or Missin Staff, there is considerable funding in federally-supported programs.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Like Yogi Berra said, "It's deja vu all over again."
Watching Canada/China play in the women's World Curling championships, it seemed as if the reel had re-wound.
In the 1980s, Canadian syncho was at the top of the synchro world. Now, 2008, Canadian synchro teams have a tough time getting a medal. The A team is off the Beijing next week to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, hoping to make the top 8 in the world. Let's hope they do.
In those days, China and Russia were just getting onto the world stage. Since then, with all the money in the world, and support personnel and experts galore, they have risen to the top of the synchro world; their demise is a way down the road!
But, back to curling. One loss is no big deal, but sometimes a look back shows that those "one losses" accumulate.
Let's hope that Canada is able, and willing, to commit the necessary resources to keep both men's and women's teams on the podium. Other countries will do it; we must.
Let's hope that the lessons of synchro have been learned by other sport organizations in the country.
In the 1980s, Canadian syncho was at the top of the synchro world. Now, 2008, Canadian synchro teams have a tough time getting a medal. The A team is off the Beijing next week to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, hoping to make the top 8 in the world. Let's hope they do.
In those days, China and Russia were just getting onto the world stage. Since then, with all the money in the world, and support personnel and experts galore, they have risen to the top of the synchro world; their demise is a way down the road!
But, back to curling. One loss is no big deal, but sometimes a look back shows that those "one losses" accumulate.
Let's hope that Canada is able, and willing, to commit the necessary resources to keep both men's and women's teams on the podium. Other countries will do it; we must.
Let's hope that the lessons of synchro have been learned by other sport organizations in the country.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Let the games begin; Boycotting Olympics hurts the athletes, Kingstonian says
from the Kingston Whig Standard, March 24, 2008
by Brock Harrison
Several of the world's highest-profile Olympians have publicly denounced any notion of boycotting the upcoming Summer Games in China because of that country's human-rights record in Tibet.
Kingston's own elite Olympian is adding her voice to that call.
Andrea Blackwell, now a well-known local basketball coach, was just 17 when she was prevented from playing with the national women's basketball team in the 1980 Olympiad, as Canada joined U.S. President Jimmy Carter's boycott of the Moscow games.
She says she understands the need to draw attention to critical international issues - like Russia's refusal to pull out of Afghanistan in 1980 and China's current human-rights rap sheet - but she also says a politically sanctioned boycott that withdraws participation can be "devastating" to the athletes.
"Just knowing the time and the effort that athletes put into the Olympic Games, I don't know that I could support a boycott," said Blackwell, who was fortunately at the very beginning of her amateur career in 1980.
"Obviously, this shows how important [the Olympics are] to countries but its unfortunate who gets affected most by it."
Competing in the 1984 Games in Los Angeles and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta has somewhat erased Blackwell's painful memories of missing the 1980 Games, but she says if a 2008 boycott goes through others won't be as fortunate.
"I couldn't imagine had the 1996 Olympics been boycotted. That was the end of my career. I wouldn't have had another chance," said Blackwell, who coaches the St. Lawrence College Vikings women's basketball team and the senior boys' team at Loyalist Collegiate.
Calls for the Beijing boycott have intensified in the wake of deadly clashes between the Chinese government and Tibetan protesters who are pushing for greater autonomy from the Communist regime.
Ostensibly, the Olympic boycott would be one of several diplomatic pressure points the international community could apply to China for its violent treatment of protesters and its continued support for the Sudanese regime that is accused of aiding genocide in the Darfur region.
China wishes to use the spotlight it will receive from the upcoming games to signify its arrival as a world power on the international stage. A large-scale gesture of rebuke, in theory, would throw cold water on those ambitious plans and draw widespread attention to China's alleged domestic and foreign atrocities.
Blackwell, echoing the sentiments of Australian Olympic swimming icon Ian Thorpe and British Olympic silver-medalist swimmer Sharron Davies, says there are other ways for government officials and diplomats to exert influence.
She also says it's opportunistic for governments to leverage the Olympics to promote their own agendas when those same governments often fail to support athletes between events.
"The whole idea of a boycott demonstrates the power of sport and how valuable sport is," she said. "It's not just the tiny fraction of people who actually makes it to the Games, it shows how valuable it is to everyone."
The Canadian government hasn't taken a stance on a boycott, but the idea is getting some political footing. Randy Hillier, Progressive Conservative MPP for Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, rose in the legislature last Tuesday calling on Ottawa to impose a boycott.
Blackwell says that would be an "incredibly hard" pill for athletes to swallow, given the years of training they dedicate to reaching the Olympics.
"You obviously want to support your government and the decisions that get made, but sometimes it makes it pretty difficult when you're directly affected without any control," she said.
by Brock Harrison
Several of the world's highest-profile Olympians have publicly denounced any notion of boycotting the upcoming Summer Games in China because of that country's human-rights record in Tibet.
Kingston's own elite Olympian is adding her voice to that call.
Andrea Blackwell, now a well-known local basketball coach, was just 17 when she was prevented from playing with the national women's basketball team in the 1980 Olympiad, as Canada joined U.S. President Jimmy Carter's boycott of the Moscow games.
She says she understands the need to draw attention to critical international issues - like Russia's refusal to pull out of Afghanistan in 1980 and China's current human-rights rap sheet - but she also says a politically sanctioned boycott that withdraws participation can be "devastating" to the athletes.
"Just knowing the time and the effort that athletes put into the Olympic Games, I don't know that I could support a boycott," said Blackwell, who was fortunately at the very beginning of her amateur career in 1980.
"Obviously, this shows how important [the Olympics are] to countries but its unfortunate who gets affected most by it."
Competing in the 1984 Games in Los Angeles and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta has somewhat erased Blackwell's painful memories of missing the 1980 Games, but she says if a 2008 boycott goes through others won't be as fortunate.
"I couldn't imagine had the 1996 Olympics been boycotted. That was the end of my career. I wouldn't have had another chance," said Blackwell, who coaches the St. Lawrence College Vikings women's basketball team and the senior boys' team at Loyalist Collegiate.
Calls for the Beijing boycott have intensified in the wake of deadly clashes between the Chinese government and Tibetan protesters who are pushing for greater autonomy from the Communist regime.
Ostensibly, the Olympic boycott would be one of several diplomatic pressure points the international community could apply to China for its violent treatment of protesters and its continued support for the Sudanese regime that is accused of aiding genocide in the Darfur region.
China wishes to use the spotlight it will receive from the upcoming games to signify its arrival as a world power on the international stage. A large-scale gesture of rebuke, in theory, would throw cold water on those ambitious plans and draw widespread attention to China's alleged domestic and foreign atrocities.
Blackwell, echoing the sentiments of Australian Olympic swimming icon Ian Thorpe and British Olympic silver-medalist swimmer Sharron Davies, says there are other ways for government officials and diplomats to exert influence.
She also says it's opportunistic for governments to leverage the Olympics to promote their own agendas when those same governments often fail to support athletes between events.
"The whole idea of a boycott demonstrates the power of sport and how valuable sport is," she said. "It's not just the tiny fraction of people who actually makes it to the Games, it shows how valuable it is to everyone."
The Canadian government hasn't taken a stance on a boycott, but the idea is getting some political footing. Randy Hillier, Progressive Conservative MPP for Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, rose in the legislature last Tuesday calling on Ottawa to impose a boycott.
Blackwell says that would be an "incredibly hard" pill for athletes to swallow, given the years of training they dedicate to reaching the Olympics.
"You obviously want to support your government and the decisions that get made, but sometimes it makes it pretty difficult when you're directly affected without any control," she said.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Now Here's A Crock......UPDATED March 28, 2008
Why would the UCI sue RWP?
Because he is running for president of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, that's why, and cycling would do anything to discredit him, since he has been on their case for years.
Never underestimate the ability of an IF to stoop.
----------------
UCI & Verbruggen Sue Dick Pound
The UCI has moved to the next level in its ongoing dispute with WADA and the organization's former president Dick Pound. The UCI has issued a statement that they will be suing Canadian lawyer Dick Pound for "continual injurious and biased comments" against both the UCI and former UCI President Hein Verbruggen.
Pound was until recently the President of the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA), and he and Verbruggen had a running war of words over Pound's comments about the efforts (or lack therof, according to Pound) of the UCI to combat doping.The text of the UCI statement:The UCI and Mr. Hein Verbruggen have sued Mr. Richard Pound ex-president of WADA before Swiss courts for what they perceive as being continual injurious and biased comments by Mr. Pound against UCI and Mr. Verbruggen in the context of the efforts made by them to eradicate doping from their sport. Indeed, on many occasions, Mr. Pound has publicly questioned the extent of the UCI's efforts in the fight against doping.
One would think that the UCI would have more important things on its agenda than suing Dick Pound. Like, cleaning up the sport????
They must have more money than FIFA!!
Because he is running for president of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, that's why, and cycling would do anything to discredit him, since he has been on their case for years.
Never underestimate the ability of an IF to stoop.
----------------
UCI & Verbruggen Sue Dick Pound
The UCI has moved to the next level in its ongoing dispute with WADA and the organization's former president Dick Pound. The UCI has issued a statement that they will be suing Canadian lawyer Dick Pound for "continual injurious and biased comments" against both the UCI and former UCI President Hein Verbruggen.
Pound was until recently the President of the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA), and he and Verbruggen had a running war of words over Pound's comments about the efforts (or lack therof, according to Pound) of the UCI to combat doping.The text of the UCI statement:The UCI and Mr. Hein Verbruggen have sued Mr. Richard Pound ex-president of WADA before Swiss courts for what they perceive as being continual injurious and biased comments by Mr. Pound against UCI and Mr. Verbruggen in the context of the efforts made by them to eradicate doping from their sport. Indeed, on many occasions, Mr. Pound has publicly questioned the extent of the UCI's efforts in the fight against doping.
One would think that the UCI would have more important things on its agenda than suing Dick Pound. Like, cleaning up the sport????
They must have more money than FIFA!!
Friday, March 21, 2008
No men's Soccer Either
That Own the Podium OTP funding can't come too soon for Canadian teams.
Once again, a Canadian team has failed to qualify for the Olympic Games. Men's soccer (under 23) will be staying home this summer.
What a disappointment for Canadian teams. The cost of developing a system, then training a large number of athletes for any team, then getting them the essential competition, then getting them to the Olympic Qualification Tournament, and keeping them sharp after they qualify, is gigantic.
Let's hope that popular sports like soccer, basketball, volleyball and field hockey can benefit immediately for additional funding. It may be too late for 2012, but there is light for 2016.
Our Canadian children need to see our athletes at the OG. When they see women's and men's hockey playing at the OWG, don't you think that inspires them? You bet!
So, let's get the funding to Canadian teams. Let's get the system working. It's well past time.
Once again, a Canadian team has failed to qualify for the Olympic Games. Men's soccer (under 23) will be staying home this summer.
What a disappointment for Canadian teams. The cost of developing a system, then training a large number of athletes for any team, then getting them the essential competition, then getting them to the Olympic Qualification Tournament, and keeping them sharp after they qualify, is gigantic.
Let's hope that popular sports like soccer, basketball, volleyball and field hockey can benefit immediately for additional funding. It may be too late for 2012, but there is light for 2016.
Our Canadian children need to see our athletes at the OG. When they see women's and men's hockey playing at the OWG, don't you think that inspires them? You bet!
So, let's get the funding to Canadian teams. Let's get the system working. It's well past time.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Canada and an Olympic Boycott
It's good to see that COC CEO Chris Rudge has said that Canada will NOT boycott the 2008 Olympic Games. Good for him.
I was in the room for the vote in the spring of 1980 when the COA voted to boycott the 1980 Games in Moscow. And I supported the boycott.
I have changed my mind. Boycotts don't do anything except kill the dream of so many athletes. I knew/know some Canadians who didn't get to go to Moscow because of the boycott. It broke their hearts.
I have believed for quite some time that boycotts do not work. They don't make a statement to the country that is the target, and they don't say anything to the country that decides to boycott.
In this case, does anyone really think that if Canada doesn't send its athletes, China will notice or change it's stance on human rights? Not likely.
I despise the idea that the Olympic Games can be used for political purposes. But I know that they are. Sports and politics are intertwined....starting with the IOC.
Let us support Canadian athletes who speak out against injustices wherever they may be; let us all speak out against injustice. But let's not ever again squash the dreams of any Canadian child to become an Olympian. THAT would be an injustice.
I was in the room for the vote in the spring of 1980 when the COA voted to boycott the 1980 Games in Moscow. And I supported the boycott.
I have changed my mind. Boycotts don't do anything except kill the dream of so many athletes. I knew/know some Canadians who didn't get to go to Moscow because of the boycott. It broke their hearts.
I have believed for quite some time that boycotts do not work. They don't make a statement to the country that is the target, and they don't say anything to the country that decides to boycott.
In this case, does anyone really think that if Canada doesn't send its athletes, China will notice or change it's stance on human rights? Not likely.
I despise the idea that the Olympic Games can be used for political purposes. But I know that they are. Sports and politics are intertwined....starting with the IOC.
Let us support Canadian athletes who speak out against injustices wherever they may be; let us all speak out against injustice. But let's not ever again squash the dreams of any Canadian child to become an Olympian. THAT would be an injustice.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
More on the Brier
Russ Howard wins as repeat analyst. Joan Mc Cusker did a good job in the last two draws of the Brier. Russ is quite fair, he presents one educated view of the game as it progresses, he has the better tone of voice, he allowed viewers to hear the athletes (skips and others).
Somehow, it has eluded the CBC crowd that there are 4 aspects to air time: booth time, skips time, players time, and no comments. These 4 should not be distributed equally, and "booth time" definitely does not get more than the others.
Thanks to the TSN and CBC for NOT showing viewers the "routines" that players have as they prepare for their delivery. There was nothing more irritating for fans than to watch Dave Nedolin go through his pre-delivery routine.
Unlike some analysts, I think that Kevin Martin has grown a lot in the last while. John Morris has brought a fine contribution to the team, and he too has grown in his game. Yes, he still gets mad, but his coping skills are seriously improved this year. He deserves a large bouquet.
Maybe the networks can persuade Jim Cotter and others to drop the ball cap. It sure looks dorky, and doesn't fit the game at all.
The tribute to Don Wittman (and Chev and Maxwell) was very nice. They stand as giants in curling's development in this country. The patch on the curlers' jackets was obtuse. Looked like a last minute design and execution; it probably was. More is expected from the CCA.
Please, let the game speak for itself. No one needs to tell us "Howard is going to take out the yellow one," as Harris did, as the rock approached the house. Good grief. We can see the obvious!!!
We're looking forward to the Worlds. Let's hope that the round robin play is good, and that the playoffs are better. This Brier final will stick out as one of the game's true duds. Poor ice and poor play. Disappinting for the athletes and the fans.
Somehow, it has eluded the CBC crowd that there are 4 aspects to air time: booth time, skips time, players time, and no comments. These 4 should not be distributed equally, and "booth time" definitely does not get more than the others.
Thanks to the TSN and CBC for NOT showing viewers the "routines" that players have as they prepare for their delivery. There was nothing more irritating for fans than to watch Dave Nedolin go through his pre-delivery routine.
Unlike some analysts, I think that Kevin Martin has grown a lot in the last while. John Morris has brought a fine contribution to the team, and he too has grown in his game. Yes, he still gets mad, but his coping skills are seriously improved this year. He deserves a large bouquet.
Maybe the networks can persuade Jim Cotter and others to drop the ball cap. It sure looks dorky, and doesn't fit the game at all.
The tribute to Don Wittman (and Chev and Maxwell) was very nice. They stand as giants in curling's development in this country. The patch on the curlers' jackets was obtuse. Looked like a last minute design and execution; it probably was. More is expected from the CCA.
Please, let the game speak for itself. No one needs to tell us "Howard is going to take out the yellow one," as Harris did, as the rock approached the house. Good grief. We can see the obvious!!!
We're looking forward to the Worlds. Let's hope that the round robin play is good, and that the playoffs are better. This Brier final will stick out as one of the game's true duds. Poor ice and poor play. Disappinting for the athletes and the fans.
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Brier Final
What a bust.
A highly-anticipated game, the culmination of a great week of men's curling, two of the best teams in the world. And they can't get the ice right.
What a disappointment.
A highly-anticipated game, the culmination of a great week of men's curling, two of the best teams in the world. And they can't get the ice right.
What a disappointment.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
How do you pronounce "SASKATCHEWAN" ?
Let's hope that Joan's first order of business this afternoon is to take Bruce Rainie aside and have a lesson in pronounciation. He sounds as if he is from Toronto!
Friday, March 14, 2008
Brier, A Great Week of Curling
What a fine week of curling. I'd love it to go forever!!
Russ Howard has done an excellent job as the analyst for TSN druing the daytime. More on that later.
Brad and the boys from the Rock never really showed up. I watched just a few minutes of his loss to BC this morning, it didn't look as if he had his heart in it, and probably didn't. He looked quite sad.
Although Jeff Stoughton expresses disappintment (http://www.cbc.ca/ blog) in Burtnyk's show this week, I thought he had the best attitude all week. He knows that this is just a game, and that there are more important things in this life. Brad will learn that one day. For now, though, he is really disappointed. It shows.
So we are into the Page playoffs. Great games coming up. That Kevin Martin and his team, are extraordinary. He must have an incredible kinesthetic sense. It would be interesting for experts to be able to "measure" why he does so well: his motor skills, his physiology, his mental skills. He'd make a great subject.
I know someone who studied his spouse and her specific athletic performance for a PhD dissertation....maybe we can find someone who would take on this project!!
Russ Howard has done an excellent job as the analyst for TSN druing the daytime. More on that later.
Brad and the boys from the Rock never really showed up. I watched just a few minutes of his loss to BC this morning, it didn't look as if he had his heart in it, and probably didn't. He looked quite sad.
Although Jeff Stoughton expresses disappintment (http://www.cbc.ca/ blog) in Burtnyk's show this week, I thought he had the best attitude all week. He knows that this is just a game, and that there are more important things in this life. Brad will learn that one day. For now, though, he is really disappointed. It shows.
So we are into the Page playoffs. Great games coming up. That Kevin Martin and his team, are extraordinary. He must have an incredible kinesthetic sense. It would be interesting for experts to be able to "measure" why he does so well: his motor skills, his physiology, his mental skills. He'd make a great subject.
I know someone who studied his spouse and her specific athletic performance for a PhD dissertation....maybe we can find someone who would take on this project!!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
No Ball Caps, Please
Curlers shouldn't wear ballcaps on the ice.
Why? Viewers can't see their faces, that's why. Viewers watch the delivery, the path of the rock, and of course the action in the house. The curler's face tells us something about the shot.
Help us follow the game, please!
Why? Viewers can't see their faces, that's why. Viewers watch the delivery, the path of the rock, and of course the action in the house. The curler's face tells us something about the shot.
Help us follow the game, please!
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