Vancouver 2010

Every two years, the same thing happens: I become completely obsessed with the Olympics. Regardless if it is in the summer or the winter, I find myself glued to the TV, researching and watching, even rewatching events to determine who will win, what will happen.

Its not just for the medals either. I watch events where Canada may not even participate, just to watch the games. Why do I watch them so intensely? Even though I do not watch sports on TV at all. How do the games capture me?

I start preparing for the games months in advance. I learn the events, the athletes, and their track records. Medals are not everthing, but its really nice to see Canada perform so well on the world stage, especially given our small population. I print of different schedules, in different time zones, to make sure I have a plan to watch as many events possible.

Then they begin and I tune out of the real world and slip into this world that the Olympics have created for me. Here, even last place is a huge accomplishment, a vindication of one's greatness.

Skiing, hockey, weight lifting, and my favourite, speed skating, are all watched and enjoyed by me, as well as practically ever other event that the games have to offer.

I sit there and cheer on the people who have devoted their lives to performing in sports they love more than anything else.

I count the medals, and then compare to countries of similar populations, and then compare to previous Olympic outings. I track Canada compared to everyone else and wait on more medals and more great performances.

Then comes the end of the games, for better or for worse Canada is finished and we look at what went right. There is then a depressing stage when I realize that the next games are about 2.5 years away.

But I do not get bored easily, I research the next games. London will host the 2012 Summer Olympic games, followed by Sochi's 2014 games, and Rio de Jeniero in 2016. I start the whole process over again.

But I think the games are good, and I think they stand for the good in all of us. They represent our deepest goals and desires, and just how far we are willing to push ourselves to reach them.

The games represent true sportsmanship, unity, peace, and acceptance. So watching a televised event that represents all of this to me can not be that bad-even if it is a tad excessive.