Canada’s drive for gold in the 2010 Winter Olympics appears to have backfired. Not only is the host country 4th overall in medals at the half-way point, they may have ticked off the very country they need for future success.
In several sports, including luge, American and Canadian athletes have shared training facilities in an effort to cut into some of the built in advantage enjoyed by European countries. According to Sandy Caligiore, spokesman for U.S.A. Luge, the U.S. and Canada have always made deals when either was hosting the Olympic Games. For example, when the Olympics were held in Lake Placid and Salt Lake City, the Canadian Luge team was given extra training time on the U.S. track. Canada did the same when the Olympics were held in Calgary.
But when the Canadian Olympic Committee launched the “Own the Podium” program all the deals went away. Canada spent an extra $113-million on the effort and decided it would maximize its home turf advantage. It would adhere to I.O.C. requirements, but no more.
After the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili during a practice run, much was made about the amount of training time Canada gave the rest of the field leading up to the Games. Caligiore says Canada gave competing nations exactly what the I.O.C. required. The lack of flexibility has upset some luge teams. As for the relationship between the U.S. and Canadian luge teams, Caligiore says it has been hurt, but it’s too early to tell how badly.