Oh Canada!

When Sidney Crosby snuck one past Ryan Miller, proceeded to throw his mouthpiece in the air, dropped his gloves, tossed his hands in the sky and symbolically smacked the United States in the face, I could not have been more satisfied. Being one of the seven Canadians that attend USD, I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the line, “So, you are from Canada, eh?” When I hear this, I feel like firing back with my own ill-mannered comment about the high culture of America that consists of NASCAR and light beer.  
             
But being Canadian means being diplomatic and I will not deny the fact that the States have grown on me and I have developed a certain love for my home away from home. Nevertheless, I am Canadian and having my country win a record 14 gold medals allows me to gloat without being too verbal because I can let the results from the Olympics speak for themselves.
             
The fact that I decided to write this column speaks volumes about how being in the ultra-competitive United States has affected me, a foreigner in this land where if you don’t finish first, you’re last. Back home, we like sports and we like to win, but the intense love for athletics and the competitive nature that exists within this country cannot be rivaled. 
             
Being here has brought out my competitive side because Americans are so gung-ho about winning, and winning in any arena, from stadium to classroom. To be honest, I am fond of this social climate. Yes, at times the competitive nature here can be a bit disturbing, as highlighted in the high school football documentary “Go Tigers!” One of the scenes depicts a newborn baby boy, who cannot even say the word football or run a route, being greeted by the local high school football team’s booster club. This group of men, who huddle around the baby like the Shepherd’s supposedly do in Jesus’ birth story, give the newborn a little football and debate wether he will be a wonderful wide out or a hard-hitting safety.
             
Is this a bit intense and over the top? Yes. But that’s not the point. The point is that the need to win and be the best is tied to American ideology (just ask the Great Gatsby). That is why it is no surprise that Americans have a strong hold on most competitive sports in the world. 
             
That is why when your friendly neighbor north of the 49th parallel gets the chance to play David, let us bask in our glory. It is not out of disrespect, but quite the contrary. When we beat the Goliath United States, the victory means that much more because we know how hard it is to kill a giant with a slingshot and rock, or win 14 gold medals when no one expected you to do so.