Brian McKeever became the first Canadian athlete to be named to both Paralympic and Olympic teams, although he did not compete in the Olympic Games.[5][6]
In May 2009, a motion for the Canadian Olympic team to wear seal skin on their uniforms was unopposed in Canadian parliament.[7] The motion read: "That, in the opinion of the House, the government should take advantage of the opportunity provided by the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games to promote seal products, particularly by studying the possibility of using these products in the making of the Canadian Olympic clothing."[8] The motion was proposed by Raynald Blais of the Bloc Québécois in protest of the European Parliament's passing of a bill to ban the import of seal products.[7] Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive officer Chris Rudge quickly dismissed the idea, saying "It would be inappropriate for us and I think it would be inappropriate to use the athletes as a voice for issues that accrue to other elements to our society."[9]
After Canadian athletes failed to obtain a gold medal in either the 1976 or 1988 Olympics, of which Canada were hosts, the Canadian Olympic Committee pledged to make Canada the top medal winning nation at 2010. They started the Own the Podium program and the Canadian government invested $120 million into the program.[10]
Hockey uniform controversy
Since 1994, Canadian national hockey team players have worn uniforms that feature the logo of Hockey Canada, the governing body of the sport in Canada.[11] The International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not allow the use of national federation logos, but did not strictly enforce the rule until the 2008 Summer Olympics. Canadian hockey teams used the Hockey Canada logo at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics, because the IOC does allow an exemption if the nation's National Olympic Committee approves.[12] The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) chose not to support an exemption. Chris Rudge, the COCs chief executive officer, said "[Hockey Canada] is discontent is that we're not going the extra mile to go for an exemption for [them] ... but it's not our fight, it's the IOC's rule, and Hockey Canada knew this was coming. [...] We got directives on the summer uniforms two years ago, and we shared it then with the winter sports. We told them we didn't have the directives for winter sports at that time, but they had to know it was coming. … We let them know it would be a harder issue than before."[13] Hockey Canada executives, concerned that they would lose money through apparel sales, unsuccessfully protested the decision.[14]Bob Nicholson, president of Hockey Canada, said "The COC is supposed to lead Canada into the Olympics and hopefully this isn't the way the COC is going to lead us over the next 13 months. [...] I just wish they would support us at the IOC level and they did not do that and I don't like that type of teammate."[15] A new design was unveiled on 17 August 2009. According to Nicholson, the new jerseys will only be used in the 2010 tournament, and players will use the old version at other international tournaments.[16]
Robbie Dixon competes in the downhill competition.
The Canadian alpine skiing team is guaranteed 14 athletes, which is down from the original 22 (the maximum number a NOC may enter).[17] The International Ski Federation (FIS) announced that the number of overall alpine skiers would be limited to 320, and that some of the guaranteed spots would go to smaller nations, so that there will be a more international field. Canada was originally guaranteed 14 skiers, although the number was later raised to 18, and can still enter a full team of 22 if other athletes meet the qualification standards. Gary Allan, president of Alpine Canada, felt that Canada should be allowed 22, arguing that television coverage and crowd reception will be better.[18] Canada was allowed a team of 19 skiers, which was announced on 27 January 2010.[19] That number was later increased to 22 when other nations were unable to fill their quotas.[20]
Helen Upperton displays the silver medal she won in the two-woman competition.
As the host nation, Canada was guaranteed an entry in all three events (two-man, two-woman and four-man).[23] Canada's full 12 athlete team was announced on 27 January 2010.[24]
Alexandre Bilodeau displays the gold medal he won in the moguls competition.
The full 18 athlete freestyle skiing team was announced on 24 January 2010.[32]Dave Duncan was originally named to the men's ski cross team, but he broke his collarbone during a training run at the Olympics and was unable to compete. Brady Leman was named his replacement.[33] However, Leman aggravated a broken tibia he suffered in 2009, and also did not compete. Replacing both of them was Davey Barr.[34]
Canada men's national hockey team celebrating after winning the gold medal.
National teams are co-ordinated by Hockey Canada and players are chosen by the team's management staff.[40] The men's and women's national teams both qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics.[41]
With Vancouver being home to the Canucks, the 2010 Winter Olympics were the first to take place in an NHL market since the league started allowing its players to compete in the games in 1998 in Nagano, Japan.
A group of about 45 players were invited to an orientation camp in August 2009 (although players not invited could also have been named to the team) and the final 23 man roster was announced on 30 December 2009.[42][43] The team was coached by Mike Babcock and included assistant coaches Ken Hitchcock, Lindy Ruff and Jacques Lemaire.[44]
Roster
The following is the Canadian roster in the men's ice hockey tournament of the 2010 Winter Olympics.[45]
In March 2009, the national team staff named 22 players to the 2009 World Championship team, as well as four additional players who would not compete in 2009 but could potentially be included in the Olympic roster.[47] The final roster of 21 players was announced on 21 December 2009. Brianne Jenner, Jocelyne Larocque,[48] Delaney Collins, Jennifer Wakefield and Gillian Ferrari were included in the centralized roster, but were cut before the Olympics.[49] The team, which includes 14 Olympic veterans and seven players making their Olympic debut, is coached by Melody Davidson.[50]
Roster
The following is the Canadian roster in the women's ice hockey tournament of the 2010 Winter Olympics.[51]
Canada's Olympic luge team, announced on 19 December 2009, in Whistler, British Columbia, consisted of ten athletes: six individual competitors and two teams for the doubles event. The women's team consisted of Alex Gough, Regan Lauscher and Meaghan Simister. The men's singles team will comprise Sam Edney, Jeff Christie and Ian Cockerline. For the men's doubles event, two teams participated: Chris & Mike Moffat; and Tristan Walker & Justin Snith.[52] The Fast Track Group, the title sponsor of the team, announced that they would give $1 million (which would be split between the athlete and Canadian Luge Federation) to any athlete that won a gold medal. The company also offered $50,000 for a silver and $5,000 for a bronze.[53]
Note: 'Deficit' refers to the amount of time behind the leader a competitor began the cross-country portion of the event. Italicized numbers show the final deficit from the winner's finishing time.
Jasey-Jay Anderson secured an Olympic berth in the parallel giant slalom by winning the event at the 2009 FIS Snowboarding World Championships.[61] The full 18 athlete team was announced on 25 January 2010.[62]
Clara Hughes after winning the bronze medal in the 5000 metres.
Canada's speed skating team consisted of eight men and eight women.[63] Canadian speed skaters participated in every event, with the exception of the men's 10,000 m. The team was named on 11 January 2010.[64]
.svg)
.jpg)
