Are you Serious!

About a month ago a Toronto area school banned all hard balls including soccer balls, footballs and even tennis balls claiming that they were dangerous. A few weeks later the ban was lifted after angry parents filed complaints with the local school board. While we are pleased that saner minds have prevailed one has to wonder as to how a decision to ban active outdoor play was brought about in the first place. School boards have to understand that promoting active play helps kids with their studies and improves the overall school environment. Lets hope that school boards learn from this.....

The Canadian Olympic Committee recently announced that it would pay coaches for Olympic medals http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i2Ga67jCzAndlXypJetF2NvO9wFQ?docId=CNG.223c07996df1426c0233f2eb2719da0e.761. While we promote the payment of cash bonuses to athletes who win Olympic medals - Heatstroke wonders if the payment of monies to coaches who produce Olympic medallists is a good use of funds. We agree that coaches are an important lifeline and are vital in the development of our athletes. However, Sport Canada rules place a limit on how much coaches can be paid here in Canada. As a result many of the world's best coaches refuse to come to Canada opting instead to pursue more lucrative opportunities elsewhere. Understanding this important point, Heatstroke argues that Sport Canada should remove its ceiling, and funds used from the OTP program be used to supplement the salaries of our coaches. Just a thought.

Those who follow the sport of rowing should pay close attention to the battle that is about to begin for the lightweight women's double. Three women all of whom have proven themselves on the international scene will compete for two seats in London. The battle to make the boat could be more heated that the competition in the Olympics. No wonder then that this boat is projected by many as having the best chance to medal in London.