Cure for the Olympic hangover

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Our Olympic athletes gave Canadians plenty to celebrate in Vancouver. Maybe it's time to return the favour. (Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)

I'm not sure what the cure for an Olympic Hangover would look like. Especially when an entire nation is suffering from it.

Vancouver 2010 was the greatest red-and-white party Canada has ever experienced. Two weeks of excellence showcased our country as never before, both on and off the sporting field.

The taste of gold proved to be addictive for our people. Who knew that this "nice" nation of ours loves not only to win, but to put a beatdown on the rest of the world! Showcasing the talents we have and dominating the winter wonderland we love brought this nation together on the streets and in spirit.

People who had fought the Olympic movement would stop me in the street to apologize, saying, "I just didn't get it until I saw it." That's the power of the Olympics.

However, the gold rush didn't happen by accident. It was the result of carefully directed efforts by our governing bodies in sport fighting for every penny to ensure success. And, amazingly, this funding only put our athletes on par with those from other competing nations. Still, it garnered a record 14 gold medals for Canada.

If we could do that while being just at par, imagine what we could do if we were a step ahead?

Yet here we are, suffering from a hangover.

How you can help

Vancouver was the best Winter Olympics ever for a host nation, yet the athletes are quickly being forgotten. Corporations who cashed in during the Olympics are pulling out and the public is moving on.

Please, don't let this happen.

If you want to keep feeding your gold-medal addiction, please, help this generation of athletes continue to succeed. But even more importantly, help give our next generation a chance to compete. Athletes like young alpine skier Marie-Michele Gagnon are the products of a well-supported program leading into Vancouver.  

So what exactly can you do to cure this Olympic hangover?

You can start by following your favorite athletes, and buying products from organizations that support Olympians.

If you want your money to go directly to the athletes but you don't know any personally, give to the Canadian Athletes Now Fund (CAN Fund). This not-for-profit group supported 80 per cent of the Canadian athletes who competed in Vancouver. They supply vital funds for many (if not most) of our Olympians.

The CAN Fund's Athlete holiday drive is on now, so consider this my shout-out to all of you for support!

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