I once chided the Canadian Yachting Association for spending Federal money, not on bringing the joy of sailing to thousands of youngsters, but on a few potential medal winners and sending them at high cost to international regattas to hone their skills. The truth is that the Federal Government loves to spend money on the glitz of Olympic potential but little on general recreation and fitness. The money spent on a few of the best at international regattas could put thousands of everyday kids into sailing and water sports. Sports Canada lavishes what little it has on potential medal winners. My son reminds me that they have no outdoor swimming pool in Bowmanville where he lives.
Kids get short shrift.
Athleticism is fine. The Olympics are a good idea. Make no mistake - I would like to see the Olympics in Toronto. I want the Portlands development which would include massive housing, to go ahead whether we win or not. But spending money to develop housing on the Olympic site should not be conditional on winning the Olympics.