Canadian Olympic thread

[Applemomma]

6:00 pm in Vancouver - 9:00 PM EST (Toronto)

I am stoked...

Eh Oh Canada Go!

Which means 10 pm for me ....hope the eight year old makes it!

As exciting as the Games are it's starting on such a sad note....my thoughts and prayers are with the Georgian team members and luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili's, family. I'll be rooting for Georgia in all their events because it will show a lot of personal strength to be able to compete after loosing a member of your team.

 

[maiapapaya]

I just read that the Georgian officials are considering pulling the team out of the games. I think this would be such a shame. While I'm sure they must be devastated, what a tribute to their teammate, to fight on and compete in his honour.

 

[Applemomma]

I just read that the Georgian officials are considering pulling the team out of the games. I think this would be such a shame. While I'm sure they must be devastated, what a tribute to their teammate, to fight on and compete in his honour.

I hope they don't too but they are a very small team (only 8 including Nodar) and very young...the youngest is 15, the oldest 22....so they obviously, with that small a number, would have known him personally and maybe don't feel they can continue. It should be up to the individual though.

The whole world will be cheering for them though, especially for Levan Gureshidze, their other luge competitor.

 

[maiapapaya]

They just said on CTV that the Georgian team will be marching in the opening ceremony - they didn't say whether they will compete. I didn't realize the team is so young. I can see why their officials are questioning whether they should compete.

 

[Applemomma]

They just said on CTV that the Georgian team will be marching in the opening ceremony - they didn't say whether they will compete. I didn't realize the team is so young. I can see why their officials are questioning whether they should compete.

I just heard that too....

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

It's a shame that while the song has become such a hit that the organizers haven't found a way to showcase her talent for the rest of the world ... maybe for the closing ceremonies?

I do recall that in '88 in Calgary that they made all kinds of accommodations for the closing ceremonies, based on what had happened through the games.

I think she's singing tonight too~should be lots of great talent!!

 

[Applemomma]

It's a shame that while the song has become such a hit that the organizers haven't found a way to showcase her talent for the rest of the world ... maybe for the closing ceremonies?

I do recall that in '88 in Calgary that they made all kinds of accommodations for the closing ceremonies, based on what had happened through the games.

She sounded great singing the anthem! Where did she come from? Does anyone know the story behind her and "I Believe"? I think every music teacher in every elementary school across Canada is teaching their kids that! My Eight year old knows every word.

So glad Georgia got a standing ovation...I noticed their youngest member, the 15 year old figure skater wasnt with them but depending on when her competitions are she might not have arrived yet.

 

[Cdn Gal]

Last night was wonderful. All of the performers and dancers were great. It was a very proud moment for Canada.

 

[FayeW]

She sounded great singing the anthem! .

Really? I thought that rendition of Oh Canada was absolutely deplorable! She is obviously a very talented young lady with an amazing voice...but...did she have to completely ruin our National Anthem on the world stage? Would it have been so terrible to sing the song the way it was meant to be sung...you know..follow the tune and melody as it was written.

I understand that these people are trying to make a name for themselves and put their own stamp on things but I really, really hate it when they mess with something as important (dare I say "Sacred") as the national anthem!

 

[maiapapaya]

Really? I thought that rendition of Oh Canada was absolutely deplorable! She is obviously a very talented young lady with an amazing voice...but...did she have to completely ruin our National Anthem on the world stage? Would it have been so terrible to sing the song the way it was meant to be sung...you know..follow the tune and melody as it was written.

I understand that these people are trying to make a name for themselves and put their own stamp on things but I really, really hate it when they mess with something as important (dare I say "Sacred") as the national anthem!

People keep blaming the singer, but I doubt she is really the one responsible for this rendition of the anthem. I imagine the music director would have had a big hand in the arrangement. I seriously doubt that officials would have given a 15 year old carte blanche to come up with her own arrangement. I suspect the idea was to make it "youthful" given the singer's age. Not sure it was the best idea. She had great vocals, but I think a more traditional version of the anthem would have been nice, but I doubt it was her fault.

 

[eryn the pooh]

I personally thought she did an amazing job and the song sounded wonderful. Just because it wasnt "exactly" the same as what we're used to, doesn't make it any less our Canadian anthem. The words are still the same and still mean the same thing. I mean, I know when I sing it in the shower, I'm not following the tune for sure, but I still mean every word of it!

 

[Tantor]

I personally thought she did an amazing job and the song sounded wonderful. Just because it wasnt "exactly" the same as what we're used to, doesn't make it any less our Canadian anthem. The words are still the same and still mean the same thing. I mean, I know when I sing it in the shower, I'm not following the tune for sure, but I still mean every word of it!

Who cares, I thought it was great. Nice to change it up once and a while.

The Georgian team is staying and competeing.

I have to say that I am extremely proud to be from Vancouver (I live in Toronto now)

 

[FayeW]

Who cares, I thought it was great. Nice to change it up once and a while.

The Georgian team is staying and competeing.

I have to say that I am extremely proud to be from Vancouver (I live in Toronto now)

Uhm..I care. I thought that was obvious when I posted.

I don't like the alternative versions, but in a private setting I think that TPTB can make a choice as to which version they use (my kids' school has several versions that they alternate). There is a time and a place and I don't think that the opening ceremonies, which were representative of our entire nation and viewed by the entire world, was the place to deviate from the standard. I wouldn't have expected a rock version of God Save The Queen when the Gov. General was introduced, either.

 

[mkmommy]

Really? I thought that rendition of Oh Canada was absolutely deplorable! She is obviously a very talented young lady with an amazing voice...but...did she have to completely ruin our National Anthem on the world stage? Would it have been so terrible to sing the song the way it was meant to be sung...you know..follow the tune and melody as it was written.

I understand that these people are trying to make a name for themselves and put their own stamp on things but I really, really hate it when they mess with something as important (dare I say "Sacred") as the national anthem!

I agree, my daugters who are young thought it was so wrong to not sing it the proper way.

My niece who saw the dress rehersal said the show was amazing except for the national anthem, so I was excepting something, but I think it took so much away from what should have been such a proud moment.

 

[minnie56]

Anyone know why the commentary was in French before English?

 

[maddiel]

French is the official language of the Olympic organization. It's French first in every country that hosts.

M.

 

[maiapapaya]

Anyone know why the commentary was in French before English?

I could be wrong, but I think French is the official language of the IOC.

 

[minnie56]

Ahhhhhhhh...I see.
You'd think then it would be Greek??

 

[weewuvvdisney]

For those of you who are interested, here is a website for Nikki Yanofsky.

http://www.nikkionline.ca/

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

Really? I thought that rendition of Oh Canada was absolutely deplorable! She is obviously a very talented young lady with an amazing voice...but...did she have to completely ruin our National Anthem on the world stage? Would it have been so terrible to sing the song the way it was meant to be sung...you know..follow the tune and melody as it was written.

I understand that these people are trying to make a name for themselves and put their own stamp on things but I really, really hate it when they mess with something as important (dare I say "Sacred") as the national anthem!

I agree that it was not the time/place for an alternate version of the anthem. While I do NOT in any way disagree that this lady is a talent. As I think she has a great voice. However, the decision to use this version (by whomever--again agree with others that it was prob. not her decision) was not a good one. I was so disappointed when I heard this.