Change of Face

Never one to come to the defence of the Canadian Olympic Committee, this time around this blogger has no choice.

In today's Vancouver Sun writer John Korobanic talks about the social injustices associated with the bonus program that pays Olympic athletes for medal winning performances but doesn't do the same for Paralympic Athletes. www.vancouversun.com/sports/Funding+Forest+major+concern+after+bringing+home+five+medals/2717097/sto

ry.html

This blogger has the greatest of respect for our Paralympic athletes. They are incredible athletes and should be compensated in the same manner for their Olympic medal winning performances as were our able athletes. However, the basis of their facts and henceforth their anger is completely off base.

The Canadian Olympic Committee is responsible for Canada's participation at the Olympic Games. Meanwhile the Canadian Paralympic Committee is responsible for Canada's participation at the Paralympic Games. The distinction between the two programs is important.

It was the Canadian Olympic Committee who came forward with the bonus program that compensated our Olympic medal winning athletes to the tune of $20,000 for Olympic Gold, $10,000 for Olympic Silver and $5,000 for Olympic Bronze. Meanwhile, when it comes to our Paralympic athletes the decision to implement a bonus program their very own is at the discretion of the Canadian Paralympic Committee who decided to forgo the program all together.

Our Paralympic athletes should not be crying wolf over the perceived injustices of an Olympic bonus program but rather ask their very own Olympic Committee as to why they didn't follow the Canadian Olympic Committee's lead.

And if someone ever says it is on account of money, lets not forget that the Canadian Paralympic Committee was given $10 million dollars in the latest federal budget. The Canadian Olympic Committee's take was $0.