Pat’s Team Canada Profile Picture

Tuesday, 23 February 2010 | by Pat's Picks

Yes—in the name of good-natured Olympic competition, I’ve switched my Facebook and Twitter profile picture. I’m committed to Team Canada even if they’re not going to “own the podium.”

It’s not that I’m entirely disloyal to Team USA. I had as much fun as anybody watching Shaun White’s performance at Cypress. It was a thrill to be there in person to see Lindsey Vonn on her gold medal run last Wednesday. And what’s not to love about those old video clips of US silver medal ice dancers Davis and White, who’ve been together since they were eight and nine years old?

But overall, my loyalty leans to the north. It’s no exaggeration that at least half of the people I saw on the streets of Vancouver last week wore Team Canada gear. Apparently much of it was purchased in recent days. Friends in Vancouver report there was no visible wave of red and white before the games started. But now they can’t stock the shelves fast enough at the Hudson’s Bay Company stores. Their official Team Canada clothing is the hot seller. We outfitted our entire family upon arrival and I’ve been wearing my Canada sweatshirt ever since. (Even though the string that hangs down from the hood makes it look like it says “bANADA” or “dANADA”)