Ah, the Olympics. What a glorious event. Canadian pride in the air. Nations coming together. Who could resist the frenzy of national gloating when our athletes are on the podium ? Do we not all agree ?

Perhaps not. I myself, as an unbiased individual, have to say the event seems frivolous. I do however have to give credit where credit is due. A lifetime of devotion and training to one passion deserves to be recognized. But are the Olympics truly the venue in which athletes of all countries can honestly display their skills ?

In not only a time, but a world in such constant turmoil, struggle and challenge, should it take billions of dollars to create a venue to display talent when there are people who are just struggling to survive ? If the idea is to promote hope, would there not be more hope in a nice cheque from the obviously available finance ? If it's designed to promote economic growth, who's really gaining from the invested money ? A billion dollars could go a long way, yet it never seems to reach the distance of those who need it.