This is what’s wrong with athletics in Canada.

I was perusing the Toronto Star today when I happened across Rosie DiManno’s editorial "cleverly" entitled, Yankee doodle Canuck. For the better part of an entire page, DiManno berates and belittles recently Americanized figure skater Tanith Belbin. Here’s one passage (of several) that made me gasp and wince:

"I’m very grateful to the president but I don’t think George Bush knows
who I am," she demurred. "It’s not like it was a private bill that was
made for me."

Except it was, rather, championed by Michigan Sen.
Carl Levin, who authored the amendments that included new rules for
shortening residency requirements in special cases. And Belbin is so
very special.

No longer an "alien," but other descriptors do come to mind: Mercenary, turncoat, traitorous little minx.

Ouch. Now, I understand being proud of your country. I understand being upset that someone has chosen to not be a part of your country. BUT…Dimanno very obviously has done no historical background on Canada’s history at the Olympic level…

‘Cause guess what? Canada’s done the exact same thing.

Having ridden dressage in Canada for a few years, I was able to meet and get to know one of it’s best elite riders, Evi Strasser. An electric rider, as well as person, Evi came to Canada from Germany in 1988. She became a citizen six years later. Right before the Olympics. Citizenship was expadited in a very similar fashion (though I don’t know if a bill was introduced) and the Strasser/Lavinia duo were able to compete at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta with the Canadian flag proudly displayed on her saddle pad.

I think that is GREAT. I think making it possible for any athlete to follow their ambitions, make their mark and compete is a fabulous thing. I think calling a person who does so "traitorous" and a "turncoat" is absolutely missing the point.

Canada’s system for supporting their athletes is lacking. Severely. Not to mention the fact that her partner was American! Why should they hold up the Canadian flag? Would DiManno have the same insults for her partner Ben Agosto, who is American, if the situation was reversed? Would she be spitting at him for giving up his American citizenship? No. She’d be welcoming him, just as the U.S.A. has welcomed Belbin.

I was disappointed when I read this article because I’ve read her stuff before and for the most part been pleased, if not impressed. But this is just ridiculous whining. If Dimanno wants to complain about something, she should complain about the Canadian Olympic body that did not look as appealing as the one in the US. There are reasons that extend beyond a passport or what fuzzy hat is worn at the opening ceremonies. She should complain about the support system that is non-existent. She should complain about the lack of money available.

And she should get her facts straight.

Congratulations, Tanith Belbin. Get out there and win a medal for the U.S.A. In the end, you’ve won it for you.