Shoe money tonight

Finally!

Yes, in some cases in life, the journey can be the reward. And I’d be the first to say the Olympic games probably qualify for that status. If ever there was a place “I’m just happy to be here” could apply, it’s at the opening ceremonies of an Olympiad.

That said, it’s been a long time coming, and it’s so nice to see the Canadian Olympic Committee has finally approved rewards for Canadians bringing medals home. In addition to the Own the Podium 2010 program, which saw the COC dump every available resource into training and resources for our athletes, significant cash rewards shows even more commitment to our athletes.

It’s something that’s been debated for a long time within the COC, radio talk shows, and countless other forums. Frankly, the tired old “it’s supposed to be amateur athletes” argument doesn’t work anymore. And it hasn’t worked for a long time. As always, we can blame America. Whether we point the finger at their allegedly outrageous cash rewards, the Dream Teams they sent to the summer Olympic basketball tournaments, or something as simple as the Wheaties box, American athletes have been making money of the Games for a long time now, and their performances have reflected that.

This is a big step for the COC, and it’s a step firmly in the right direction. The payouts-- $20, 000 for gold, $15k for silver, and $10k for bronze-- are substantial, yet modest by other standards. And I’ll even buy the COC’s argument the modest payouts allows the COC to continue to pour money into training programs. It’s a big win for our athletes, and as an Olympic nation, we’re well on our way to becoming a powerhouse.

In fact, this news has me so excited, I’m going to go visit the Canada Olympic Park here in Calgary this week, just to help out (OK, my $6 for admission won‘t go very far, but the $149 bobsleigh run doesn‘t open till December).

With thanks to Sports Night, the greatest televisions show ever, for the title.

Asterisk this

I hate to sound like I'm ragging on an old man, but what the hell is Don Shula thinking?

In case you missed it, Shula, former coach of the Miami Dolphins says the New England Patriots should be subject to an asterisk if they finish an undefeated season this year, as a result of “cameragate.”

Please. Crazy old man. First of all, the Pats are still 10 wins away from a perfect season. This isn't Division-I football, where talk of BCS title games starts after week three. This is the National Football League, and you can't take anything for granted. I don't care how weak the Pats' schedule is the rest of the way, let's see them at least get to 14 or 15 wins before we start looking at the historical ramifications of this. Again, at 9-0, they're not even halfway there. This is a bridge Shula's crossing way too early.

Second. Why is everyone so friggin' asterisk crazy these days? I'm no defender of Barry Bonds, but to put an asterisk on his home run ball is not only stupid, it's hypocritical. There was no fan outrage when juiced up Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire were busy making baseball relevant again, and team ownership sure didn't seem to mind steroid use. Same with the Pats. Maybe they were caught taping other team's signals, big deal. Signs are stolen in baseball, and if anyone thinks signs aren't stolen in basketball, and aren't still being stolen in the NFL, they're delusional. Taping is wrong, but having a guy in the stands with binoculars and a two-way radio is tacitly approved of. You're kidding, right? Stick your asterisks where the sun don't shine, OK?

Third. They're 9-0, and they still haven't lost even after they were caught “cheating.” And I don't think Tom Brady was using videotaped hand signals to carve the Colts' defense up in the fourth quarter on Sunday.

Lastly, if Shula's that worried about his beloved Dolphins' record not being tarnished, maybe he should get off his ass and give Cam Cameron a hand. At 0-8, the Dolphins are halfway to a winless season that seems much more likely than any team ever going 19-0.