COLUMN: Lighten up, Canada
Last week, a Canadian athlete was stripped of his bronze medal for “baring his butt” to the audience as he crossed the finish line.
Daniel Blouin, an amateur athlete from Quebec, claimed he was so excited about placing in the 3000-meter steeplechase at the 2001 Canada Summer Games, that he decided to turn and “moon” his teammates as he went by. Blouin was immediately disqualified and sent home to keep him from being a “distraction” to other athletes.
One has to admire the Canadians for their resolve. Sure, many people disagree with the decision to snub Blouin for showing some cheek, but at least officials are sticking to principles and the code of conduct set down for athletes to live by. After the controversy dies down, it’s doubtful there will be much “mooning” going on in future events.
This doesn’t have to be the end of the road for Blouin. He should take heart knowing that if Canada doesn’t want him, there’s always the United States. It worked for Alanis Morissette. Down here, his misguided peepshow pales when compared to the laundry list of abuses and embarrassments that has plagued our 2002 Winter Olympics. His “full-moon hijinks” barely color the litmus when held up against the crimes and bad sportsmanship perpetrated everyday by some of our finest athletes.
Athletic organizations in the United States seem to have only one measure for an athlete’s eligibility to compete – the amount of revenue he can generate. Never mind if he’s been sleeping with a 14-year-old or trashing the Newport Beach Hooters because someone said something he didn’t like. Raven’s player, Ray Lewis spent his offseason in court defending himself on murder charges and was still awarded the Super Bowl MVP.
Everyday in this country, known criminals are exalted to god-like fame by fans whose attention spans, held momentarily by Sports Center highlights, seem to switch off between games.
“Who cares if so-and-so is a weed head? He can really dunk.”
Yes Mr. Blouin, if the Canada Summer Games are starched a little too stiffly for your tastes, head south to the good ol’ U.S. of A., and enjoy our look-the-other-way brand of hospitality. We’ll support your God-given right to express yourself anyway you like – even if that means hiring the best lawyers money can buy to get you out of trouble. After all, we made you famous. If the pressures of that fame get to be a little much for you, we’ll understand if you bend a few rules here and there.
Just keep winning.
(Incidentally, Reid Coolsaet – who initially came in fourth but was then awarded the bronze after Blouin’s disqualification – said he will mail the medal to Blouin anyway.)