Why I'm not watching the 2022 Olympics

It's true that as you get older your priorities change - just ask my children whom I made watch hundreds of hours of Olympic coverage as part of their home school curriculum.

But this time around I'm not watching even one minute of the current Winter Olympics...not even women's hockey...

Why? is the appropriate question. The answer is not as clear as you may suppose.

First off I'm not protesting the games because they are in China,

Well, not fully.....

The thought of supporting a regime that uses slave labour as freely as Rameses in Egypt's glory days, has billions of cameras all over the country in constant surveillance aka HGWellsian 1984, and drags foreign journalists away at any whim, is worthy of a full boycott.

But that's not at the heart of my waning interest.

It started years ago....when NHL and NBA players started showing up at the venues. And when the IOC implemented 'qualifying standards'.

The movie, Eddie the Eagle, starring Taron Egerton, uncovered the ugly truth. I always knew behind the Olympic facade lay classist tendency and real prejudice against true amateurs, but wow - did that movie expose it.

The whole classism and prejudice isn't relegated to Great Britain. Canada has it's fair share. Just ask any equestrian athlete from Western Canada.

Also, I'm not even going to touch on the corruption of the IOC (which is documented and widely known) or the corruption in certain sports (figure skating, gymnastics)

You see I lived in Canmore, Alberta in 1988. I lived the Winter Olympics in real time, in close proximity, and with much Canadian pride as I watched in person Karen Percy win bronze in downhill skiing. But it was Eddie the Eagle and the Jamaican bobsled team that caught all my interest - eclipsing even than the Battle of the Brians.

Why? again is the question. Because both Eddie and the Jamaicans were amateurs in the truest sense of the word. They, for me, are what the Olympics are all about... Amateurs.

I've always cheered for the underdog, the unknown, the comeback story, and for Canada.

Our athletes are not part of a giant nationally funded chosen from the cradle controlled group of zombie elitists. (Think former Soviet Union and.....China)

And even with amazing programs now available to our athletes, and record-breaking results at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, most of our athletes still need to work their butts off individually, with much family and community support, just to get recognized.

But there's more to my decision to skip this year's Olympics.

It's not just China, or the regimented requirements to enter, or corruption, sadly I just don't care that much anymore.

I'm 61. I've pursued my own dreams, ambitions, goals, ideas, and legacy. (Obviously not to Olympic heights!) And I've contributed to the communities I've been part of. So looking in the mirror, and in the faces of every volunteer I've ever rubbed shoulders with, I wonder if the hero worship we place on people; be they athletes, celebrities, or public figures, is in proportion for their contribution to the well being of the world.

Please don't get me wrong. I understand many cultural icons, regardless of where they have shined, bring life and light into downtrodden places. And I honour them for it. However, isn't it the daily small sacrifices and contributions that truly build something great and lasting?

• One hour of voluntary work.

• One ladle of soup.

• One smile.

• One gentle touch.

• One listening ear.

• One 12 hour shift.

This is just my opinion. And to be completely transparent I am fully supportive of our athletes and proud of them. (especially women's hockey) however I just don't want to watch it this time around.

Maybe in four years I'll be in a different head space - or maybe I'll cue up Eddie the Eagle and Cool Runnings for some good old over 65 reminiscing.