Sporting legacies

On first sub zero run this morning, I reflected on a recent conversation regarding the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, for which I volunteered on the anti doping team as a chaperone for a month and loved it. Here I was, once again pounding the pathways, doing something I loved. Indeed, I have spent today basking in memories whilst unpacking old pictures of my teenage running. Blimey I was thinner and way fitter back then! But no-one can take away the purist pleasure of my running history, though I have never done anything remotely remarkable. I believe that I have consistently underachieved in running, but enjoyed even the most painful of events or training runs. Sounds perverse, but its true. Running for me provides a release from something I know not. I'm free - I'm the person I want to be. The Who's 'Roger Daltry belting out 'I sing my song to the wide open spaces....' often fills my mind when covering the trails, especially in the mountains.

Back in December and January, I defended the Olympics from the staunchest of critics. There is no other event on this planet which allows athletes of all disciplines to compete, socialise and live under the same roof. There is a aura which surrounds the Olympics, be they summer or winter. There is no other. The cost? Too much. The politics? Too controlling. The International Olympic Committee? Dinosaurs. But I'll still defend the movement. I harped on about the legacy Vancouver was creating, for communities, athletes and spectators. Inspiration. "I'll be there in 2014..." whispers an inspired 16 year old to themself. It's moving. It's an event like no other. But I'm now strangely deflated. Anti doping is only active due to the cheats. No cheats, no doping control. Simple. It's all about keeping sport clean. I had lots to say, lots of opinions about the anti doping team I worked on - which is to be expected. But the legacy? A quick story.

On my return I immediately signed up as a chaperon for the Canadian Centre for Excellence in Sports. They control anti doping across the board in all sports here in Canada. No one even returned my phone calls or emails. I eventually spoke to someone, months later. They took my details. It was now June. In September I received an email copy from a colleague who is a CCES accredited chaperone, asking for all to contact the centre if they wished to be on the call out list. Why had I not got one? Unswayed, I rang. No, they had not got my details. Would I like to provide them?

Some legacy the Olympics left behind. Another bureaucratic set up, a barrier for involvement in sport. Sport needs to be embedded into the grassroots - no runners like me, no mass involvement in sport. No future. CCES need to get their act together. Meanwhile I'll continue my running in the fields.