The Game of Politics in Sports

Thursday, February 23, 2006 03:45 AM

by Jack deWit

For the last few weeks many British Columbians have protested David Emerson’s quick switch to the Conservative party after being elected as a Liberal. Perhaps Emerson’s move was for personal gain to sit as a Cabinet Minister for the Conservatives although he insists it was for his personal wish to provide a service to his country. Whatever the real reason, on the surface it is a stab in the back to his constituents as well as to our democratic system.

But is this type of thing restricted to Canadian politics? The Olympic Games is full of such politics. I am personally frustrated with athletes who earn huge salaries playing for NHL teams, only to play for their country of origin during the Olympics.

In the writer’s opinion, Vancouver Canuck players like the Sedin twins, Salo, and Ohlund for example, have disgraced those fans that make it possible for them to collect their huge salaries. Furthermore, most of these players are not even Canadian citizens, have no intension of becoming Canadians, and spend their off-season time in the home countries. Is Canada not good enough for them to reside in all year? Is it just the huge paychecks that have them coming to play in the NHL?

We must not lay the blame entirely on the players’ shoulders because much of the responsibility can be attributed to the greedy owners within the sports sector persuading these players to come to North America with no patriotic demands included in the deal. We, as fans, do not have the will to demand that North American citizenship be necessary for players to be used within the leagues. After all we may upset the political correctness of the multicultural attitude in this country.

I am not suggesting that we don’t allow foreign players into the North American sports world; however, I would like to think that these players would be like other immigrants and want to become citizens of Canada or the US and make it their permanent home. Then, being like other good foreigners, these individuals would be supporting their new country in the Olympics and perhaps we could earn our “fair share” of medals.

Until the attitude changes I will consider these players who support their countries of origin as “turncoats”, no better, no worse, than the likes of David Emerson and those who preceeded him in crossing the floor in the House of Commons.

Similarly, I am disgusted with those North American players who played in Europe during the NHL labour dispute last year. Many claimed that they did it to “stay in shape”. Well, the only shape they were concerned about was the shape of their bank roll. They also did a disservice to their fellow teammates and to the fans that went without hockey for an entire season.

It is time for competitors in sports to choose the country of their choice and stand by it. Patriotism should account for more than a large salary. It is no wonder that this writer finds the worst television programming comes during the Olympic Games.

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Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 03:45 AM in Views by Jack deWit

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Comments

Posted by: northerngal on February 23 2006 8:12 AM

Is this a joke? Are you serious? Do you really think that someones heritage to should be passed up because they live in the only country they can make a living at in their choosen field? Are we now going to call our Canadian Soilders overseas residents of Afganistan? I don't think I have ever read such a selfish, self involved load of cow patty in a very long time. All those atheletes are playing for their home countries. They are playing with patriotism and pride and they should be admired for the respect they have for their families and countries that supported them throughout their lives. Our mens team didn't win a medal. Yeas it is sad but not the end of the world. You can analyze the losses for year to come, bottom line, sending an NHL Team, which you pretty much suggesting, is not what the olympics are about. We need to send our best players period, be that NHL, CHL or college. Please get your prehistoric head out of the sand and stop spouting this redneck propaganda which makes all of us in the north, look stupid.

Posted by: diplomat on February 23 2006 9:12 AM

I suggest reverting to the old system of banning professional athletes from the Olympics altogether!

And restore some of the previous requirements of citizenship!

The present sytem is a joke!

Posted by: Big_B on February 23 2006 1:58 PM

Oh my goodness,

This column was a joke right? April 1st didn't come early right?

Jack, give your head a shake, putting guys like Marcus Naslund and David Emerson in the same boat is ridiculous beyond belief. About the only thing they might have in common is the tax bracket they are now in.

Canada lost because they were not the best team this time around, not because of foreigners coming here and playing in the NHL.

The NHL is not a Canadian league. It is a global league and that means taking the best players regardless of nationality.
I watch the NHL because it is the best league in the world, with the best players, not because I feel it makes me more Canadian.

Posted by: Palopu on February 23 2006 4:50 PM

Since 1978 it has become possible to hold duel citizenship in Canada. As a result we have thousands of Canadians with dual citizenship. So the best you could hope for would be for players from other Countries if they took out Canadian Citizenship, then they would be say Canadian and Russian or whatever. It wouldnt make any difference to them when they were playing, forcing them to be Canadian would not make them anymore patriotic.

Sounds like this was a slow news day.

Posted by: spanky on February 23 2006 6:59 PM

Jack, I have no idea who you are but I can honestly say that you must be as dumb as you look. Your article would have a hard time getting even the biggest loser's support. Get a life dude.

later......

Posted by: diplomat on February 23 2006 8:30 PM

I too believe that it is a "stretch" to make a connection between Mister Emerson and some athletes/hockey players.

But Jack expressed his opinion and that is the way it appears to him, right or wrong.

There is absolutely no need to make insulting comments such as the ones above.

Personal attacks hurt the attacker's reputation more than the intended victim's.

Amen.

Posted by: lunarcom on February 24 2006 9:30 AM

Did I read it correctly that the budget just for our Men's Hockey team ( including salary ) was 97.9 Million. That was in yesterday's paper and I have seen that referenced on the net a couple of times. OMG it is time to go back to the old days and no professional players in the Olympics !

Posted by: Percy on February 27 2006 7:58 PM

There is just too much focus, attention and money directed at sports.

The players involved in sports are supported, encouraged and paid by their fans. If you don't agree, don't support them.

Can we not think of a better use of our time, money and talents? It's just a game. Percy