Canada's sport officials have long stated that with the funds at its disposal Canada can expect a 12th place finish in the overall medal haul in London. After all we finished 14th in Beijing. Canada's athletes now have the funds and we expect our athletes to produce the results. However, the quesion this blogger has to ask...How?
In Beijing Cuba, placed 12th in the overall medal count with 24 medals. Canada won 18 medals. Canada has never finished a non-boycotted games with more than 22 medals, and over the course of the past two decades has averaged 15 Olympic medals per games.
To achieve its desired results Canada will rely heavily on the sports of Track & Field, Swimming, Woman's Wrestling, Trampoline, Diving, Rowing and Canoe Kayak to bring home the lions share of medals. But can these sports exceed on their performances in London?
Lets not forget that Rowing won 4 medals in Beijing - expecting more in London is a challenge. Woman's wrestling won 2 medals in 3 events. Our trampolinists won 2 medals in the sports only 2 events at the games. Our Canoe-Kayakers won 2 medals in Beijing. They have never won more than 3 medals at a non-boycotted games. Track & Field won a medal in Beijing, the sports first at an Olympic Games in over 12 years - is it fair to ask for more in London.
True, our swimmers are getting better but lets not forget that Canada won 2 medals in equestrian in 2008. A horse doesn't stay in his/her athletic prime for long and the hope here is that our swimmers can pick up the slack from our four legged friends in London.
In Thursday's budget Canada's Summer Olympic Community got what it wished for. There are no more excuses. Here is hoping that this prognositator is missing something and our athletes can deliver. Time will tell.
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