Sports in Canadian culture

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by hipster duck

I wouldn't be too hung up on our medal count.

Sometimes I feel like the winter Olympics exist so that some tiny European countries can still put up numbers.

Norway won 28 medals in events that, in some way, involved cross country skiing, either in XC skiing itself, nordic combined or biathlon. There were 26 events in these 3 areas alone in 2026; in 1988 the Calgary Olympics had 44 events total.

The Dutch won 20 medals, all of them in some variation of speed skating.

If Canada were a Western European country, then we'd probably have figured out a way to lobby the IOC over the years to include every niche variation of hockey that's ever been played: shinny, spongee, ringette, broomball, etc.

We were joking around at work about exactly this.

Where's the 20m curling, 40m curling, 60m curling variations?

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

There was a time when sports participation was encouraged and many kids were encouraged to participate in a wide variety of sports. However, there's less of a drive due to the affordability crisis and the changing demographics in many regions. We cannot ignore the elephant in the room which is immigration from countries that do not prioritize physical activity. Sports are not a priority from newcomer parents. Hell, women from some cultures are forbidden from participating in extra-curricular activities.

My wife went to high school in Australia, where participation in sports was mandatory - one per semester. So she did soccer and rowing.

It would take some organization and funding in our schools, but the health as well as social benefits would be enormous.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by jonny24

Where's the 20m curling, 40m curling, 60m curling variations?

And the 20m curling, 40m curling, 60m curling for women and mixed.

Where's Paul Gowsell and Guy Hemmings when you need them? Gotta love the Big O, a dart and a brown pop, the good ol' days.

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[Djeffery]

Long track speed skating, but with a stick and puck.

Does anyone remember Red Bull Crashed Ice? No, that's not a drink. It's like one of those ski cross events, except on ice and skates. Surprised that never made it into the Olympics. I mean, if they come up with whatever the hell Mountaineering is why not this?

[electricmodes]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

Long track speed skating, but with a stick and puck.

Does anyone remember Red Bull Crashed Ice? No, that's not a drink. It's like one of those ski cross events, except on ice and skates. Surprised that never made it into the Olympics. I mean, if they come up with whatever the hell Mountaineering is why not this?

I once went to the crashed ice competition in Quebec City and it was awesome. That is a sport that should have been further developed and brought to the olympics.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

Long track speed skating, but with a stick and puck.

Does anyone remember Red Bull Crashed Ice? No, that's not a drink. It's like one of those ski cross events, except on ice and skates. Surprised that never made it into the Olympics. I mean, if they come up with whatever the hell Mountaineering is why not this?

I can at least see where ski mountaineering came from with telemark skiing. It makes sense to me. Hopefully it doesn't become 1000m 3000m 5000m. Just do a 10km race and call it a day. It is tactical. The concept of it being a short sprint diminishes what telemark skiing was about for me.

[elly63]

The man, the myth, the legend, Paul Gowsell, a rare visual

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[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by elly63

The man, the myth, the legend, Paul Gowsell, a rare visual

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It's funny how much the game has changed. So many untried shots are just second nature whatever now.

[elly63]

There's still hope for the world

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