Joannie Rochette wins Terry Fox Award

Awarded for determination, and pushing on regardless of the obstacles an athlete faces, Joannie Rochette was the co-recipient of this year's Terry Fox Award.

Along with Slovenian cross country skier Petra Majdic, Rochette was given the Award aftering winning a bronze medal in figure skating, only days after her mother, Theresa Rochette, tragically passed away.

Majdic, who won a bronze medal in cross-country skiing, competed after falling 9-feet (3 metres) into a rocky pit during a training run. During the fall, Petra Majdic broke multiple ribs, and still managed to compete.

Rochette, shocked the sporting world by putting together two memorable performances to capture a bronze in womens figure skating. Although Petra Majdic should not be overlooked in this story, Joannie Rochette is definitely one of the Vancouver Olympic Games' most compelling stories.

Her ability to overcome what looked like impossible odds to compete, let alone win a medal, was absolutely amazing.

Canadians have experienced more gold medals, and more medals total in the Vancouver Olympics than ever before, but Joannie Rochette's bronze will be remembered long after many gold medal winners are only names in a record book.

Joannie Rochette was well deserving of this honour, which was named for one of Canada's bravest and most determined athletes.

Let the games begin.

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Joannie Rochette is skating for more than her country

As Joannie Rochette takes to the ice in womens figure skating, she is living a dream and a nightmare simultaneously. Following the tragic death of her mother Therese, Joannie Rochette is skating for more than gold in Vancouver.

Therese Rochette suddenly passed away from a heart attack in Vancouver, only two days before her daughter was set to skate in the 2010 Olympic Games.

Just by stepping on the ice at the Vancouver Olympic Games, Joannie Rochette is exhibiting a strength and courage many people do not have. Rochette's mother was integral in her rise in the figure skating world, and has been at Joannie's side every step of the way.

Although Theresa Rochette isn't beside Joannie at the Vancouver Olympics, I'm sure her presence will be felt by the 23-year-old Montreal, Quebec resident.

Joannie Rochette is not just skating for a gold medal at the Winter Olympics, in fact, that is likely the last thing on her mind. Joannie is skating for the memory of her mother.

Luckily, Joannie Rochette has the encouragement and support of an entire nation. Canada is backing her and will cheer her every move.

When the music stops on Joannie Rochette's final program at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, regardless of her results, you can bet the Canadian crowd will be cheering her as though she won the figure skating Gold. If for nothing else, they will be cheering for the golden spirit and heart this young athlete has shown in such trying times.

Let the games begin.

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Plushenko is the best in the world

I don't care who won mens figure skating at the Vancouver Olympics, because regardless of what the idiotic judges awarded, Evgeni Plushenko is the best skater in the world.

The reason he lost? Because he spoke out against the skating world. Plushenko was quoted before his skate, saying that if skaters don't include a quadruple in their program, then it is not mens figure skating.

You know what? He's right. In every other sport you are forced to be better, to train and set new world records. Not in figure skating. In figure skating you're expected to follow the old rules, play within the rules, pay your dues, and let the judges decide who wins, regardless of who deserves to win.

The sport is ridiculous and has lost all credibility after yet another judging fiasco.

Former Canadian skater Elvis Stojko was one of the first to raise questions about the judging, even regarding fellow Canadian Patrick Chan, who finished in 5th place, well higher than he desvered. Stojko also went on to say how the judges are removing the 'sport' aspect from figure skating.

The eventual winner, Even Lysacek, didn't attempt a quadruple jump. Plushenko, attempted and landed two. If Lysacek winning is the result of the new judging system in figure skating, then the system is flawed. How can a system award the same points for a triple as it does a quadruple?

What is definitely flawed, is the judges who implement the system. Theese judges pick and choose who will win with an utter disregard for talent and zero respect for sport.

Evgeni Plushenko is the best in the world and he deserved to win gold at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Evan Lysacek, yes he won, but he shouldn't feel proud about his "victory." It will forever be tainted by a dirty sport and dirty judges.

Congratulations to Evgeni Plushenko, who was the best skater at the Vancouver Olympics, and is still the best figure skater on the planet.

Let the Games Begin.

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Olympic Figure Skating is a political mess

Imagine this, you've just skated the routine of your life. Your program was flawless, you landed the jumps you needed to, you were in sync with your partner, and your transitions were technical and artistic. You don't win however, you never had a chance.

This is the world of Olympic figure skating. Entering the Olympics and many other world competitions, only the top 2-3 ranked skaters or pairs ever have a chance to win. Why? Not because they are infinitely better, but because they've payed their dues, did their time, and it is their "turn" to be the top teams.

Dick Pound, head of the IOC stated that he believe the judging for figure skating is the most corrupt in the world. He also called figure skating a "nightmare sport." People play games, cut deals, make political decisions, and award success based on past accomplishments, not current performance.

Look at what happened to Canadian pairs skaters Jamie Sale and David Pelltier at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. The Russian mafia got involved in the Games and swayed the judges to award the gold medal in pairs skating to the Russian duo, not the deserving Canadians. It wasn't until 5 days later when the IOC intervened and awarded Sale and Pelltier their shared gold medal.

On a world scene that has recently flipped in favour of strong Chinese skaters, it is likely there will still be Russians on the podium, deserving or not. Why? Because of their reputation, something that often carries you as far in figure skating as your actual talent does.

Pay your dues, stay competitive, and when your country decides it is your turn to shine, then you'll be promoted and have the opportunity to be a champion.

It doesn't seem fair, and it isn't. The sport of figure skating needs to clean out the skeletons in the closet, make the sport more accessible, and let the best skaters win.

Let the games begin.

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What the Olympics mean to the World

After months and months of predictions, hype, and speculation, the Winter Olympics are finally here. Although the Olympic Games started on a sour note, with the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Winter Olympics in Vancouver promise better things to come.

In fact, the Olympics in general are a sign of world togetherness you don't often see. Where else would you see the USA standing beside Iran and North Korea? These countries aren't competing against each other out of hate; rather, they're competing in peace and sport.

The Olympic Games are unifying for all people. It's a chance for us to forget the wars we fight, the terror in our world, and to focus on a sense of togetherness that is often overlooked.

Starting with the spectacular and theatrical opening ceremonies and the lighting of the torch by hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, the Winter Olympics utlilize one of our planets greatest common grounds, sport, to bring people together...even if it is only for a few weeks.

Sure nations compete against each other, battle on the playing field, and will push, pull, and claw their way to a place on the podium; but athletes from countries at war, countries who are political adversaries, show respect and sportsmanship to each other during the Olympics.

97 nations are competing at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. 97 countries in one peaceful place for sport. I've heard people argue over and over that sports are just games, that people take athletics too seriously, and that athletics are not important.

Looking at the Olympic Games, it's obvious they are wrong. Sports can mean so much more, they can bring unity and peace. They can bring hope and inspiration. From the moment the torch is lit, to the moment the last medal is awarded, the Olympic Games are a tie that bonds all of humanity through sport.

Let the games begin.

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