PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES COMES TO ONTARIO

Did you mostly ignore the Parapan Am Games?  You had a lot of company, but they opened up my mind a little.  I had forgotten an experience 39 years ago that impressed me a lot at the time.

In 1976 when the Olympics were held in Montreal, the Paralympics were held in Etobicoke.  Back in those days the two events (for able and disabled) were not necessarily in the same city.  Some countries denied they had a disabled population and in reality they weren't treated as contributors to society.   I had a press pass as I was working on a book about basketball and was able to include wheelchair basketball.

The situation was quite loose and spectators could get very close to the competitions.  I had heard about Arnie Boldt and frankly his achievements seemed like something of a circus act.  He had competition and the event was in the rain.  Tension built up as finally he was the only competitor left.  At the end he set a new world record for a one legged high jump.  Arnie was one of the flag bearers at the 2015 Parapan Am Games Opening.

The Parapan Am Games were qualifying for the upcoming Paralympics in Brazil meaning most countries sent their best athletes.  Not surprisingly Brazil topped the medals list, followed by host country Canada and the United States.  In the Pan American Games Brazil finished third.

Does society benefit?  The event opens our eyes to abilities, provide models for both the disabled and the able bodied, encourage physical and social activities for more people.  The joy of sports is competition and artistry.  Accessibility and acceptance benefits everyone  CN Tower making extreme EdgeWalk Experience accessible to wheelchairs is more symbolic than anything, but does create some momentum for more practical accessibility solutions.

Classification is the basis for the Games.  They accept a wide variety of disabilities (and on a sliding scale of severity), but try to be fair. Each sport has its own requirements and needs its own classification.  Team sports try to have a balance to include those most severely handicapped.  Missing limbs are easy to spot, but others are handicapped with muscles that atrophied through polio, strokes, etc.  Cerebral palsy is still another handicap.  Blindness has one team sport devoted to it--Goalball.  Intellectual limitations (which I thought I heard included autism)   Queasiness is natural viewing amputated and atrophied limbs, but one gets used to it and can better appreciate abilities and the people.

Some events were not really competitive--in some ways the distribution of talent combined with disability cannot be equal--warfare, the randomness of accidents and genetic defects.  However organization and development does play a significant role:  Israel was dominant in wheelchair basketball mainly because they developed rehabilitation programs for returning soldiers. Competitiveness varies, but can be very riveting.

Most Canadians recognized Rick Mercer carrying the torch and lending his prestige to the event.  Rick Hansen and Chantal Petticlerc, having given Canada some pride lit the flame.  The Canadian flag bearer was Marco Dispaltro who at age 48 was one of the older athletes.  He developed muscular dystrophy and was told he would not live past 40.  Earlier he had taken part in wheelchair rugby and then tennis, before taking up boccia.  Jean Sok B-boy Hourth from France provided some entertainment and amazed people with what he could do with only one leg performing hip hop.  My words don't do him justice-- let him open your eyes with one of his videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgWLw0nY8r0

The idea for wheelchair basketball originated as a form of netball at Stokes-Mandville as therapy for disabled war vets.  Americans adapted it to basketball.   They have a system to balance differing levels of ability, ironically height still has an advantage.   Players strap themselves to chairs which often tip but are easy to put upright.

Wheelchair basketball-caught parts of several games.  Unfortunately the Canadians lost to the Americans and although I had seen both of them play I didn't see the critical game.  It may be unfair to single out one player, but he certainly got my attention.  Gustavo Villafane of Argentina has only one arm, but was not included just because he lowered the team's physical eligibility requirements but as a major contributor.  He shoots a very high percentage (there are no dunks), but was also impressive rebounding, passing and general defense.  Perhaps the key to marketing is to draw attention to more of the athletes.

Wheelchair rugby in some ways seemed very simple, but much rougher.  I had seen a documentary a few years back called "Murderball" which was mostly about the rivalry between Canada and the United States who in fact met in the finals.  Zak Madell scored most of the goals.

Swimming is something I have watched for years, but learned something new from one of the journalists.  If a pool is deeper, such as the one used in the ParaPan Am swimming it will produce faster times as there is less turbulence. The big swimming winner, Aurelia Rivard was from a small town in Quebec, St Jean-sur-Richelieu that I used to make sales calls to.

Blind running with a guide demands teamwork  Obviously the guide has to be able to keep up with the competitor while at the same time steering and encouraging them.  Trust is vital and no doubt takes time and a lot of practice to develop.  Some with limited vision were able to run without guides.  During the relays some runners used guides while others didn't.

There were many other sports that I caught a snippet of.  This Parapan Pan Am Games included more sports than any previous.  The names mentioned are just a few that somehow got my attention,

I was disappointed Equestrian was not included as at The Rider we have covered many para events.  We are also aware that riding is beneficial for balance, and building confidence.  One Para Equestrian champion took part in the torch relay Jody Schloss who had represented Canada at the London Paralympics as an equestrian.

World Deaf Games is a well developed international event with both a summer and a winter section.  Deaf people do not appear handicapped, but are at a disadvantage competing against hearing opponents.  Still there has been a little carry over that I am sure got a spurt from deaf sports events.

Another legacy is the Athlete's Village located in the Donlands section of Toronto.  It is designed to encourage physical activity with sidewalks double to triple normal size.  It is located with the idea that future residents will be able to easily bike or walk to work.

Closing ceremonies are less formal.  Serena Ryder's singing to fireworks.  Wyclef Jean performed in English, French and Spanish and was a big crowd favourite.  He had written and performed the official song for the FIFA World Cup in 2014. The mayor of Toronto handed over regalia to the mayor of Lima, Peru the host of the next Parapan Am Games.  Zak Madell was the flag bearer for Canada.

The international spotlight was on Canada and we opened our eyes a bit and advanced the cause of "disabled" people. The biggest Parapan Am Games in history, with more athletes, more countries and more sports.

WHAT CHOICE DO YOU HAVE? some thoughts on Freedom

Choice,  a simple word, but in essence it is what freedom boils down to.  A quote from Charles M. Blow, "..as if success was merely a result of a collection of choices and not also a confluence of circumstances."  My contention is that your choices are within perceived opportunities (which you can expand) and as you make better choices you are edging towards success, happiness and relative freedom.

Choices are everywhere, but mostly buried or ignored.  Most of us, most of the time react to what comes our way.  Some of us, some of the time dig a little deeper to expand our choices or at least to understand our options a little better. Most choices in fact are almost automatic and that is not all bad.

A lot of my posts have revolved around how our subconscious makes most of our choices, freeing us to choose opportunities. One of the best choices was "The Art of Choosing" at http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/10/the-art-of-choosing-as-seen-by-sheena.html  about Sheena Iyengar's book and another was "The Power of Habit" at http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/06/power-of-habit.html js about Charles Duhigg's book where you learn you can replace a bad habit with a good habit making your automatic choices automatically better.

We can be manipulated to making choices not necessarily in our best interests by other people as explained in my post on "Split second decision", at http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/12/split-second-persuasion.html about Kevin Dutton's book and at a post including mindless eating  at http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2011/09/mindless-eating-cf-mindful-eating.html  At least we can understand how others are trying to impose choices on us.

Good/bad, better/worse, best/worst.  It is not like a choice is either/or, but more often which. You may think you can buy an ice cream cone or not, but really you have different flavours to choose from and you could choose something healthier or more decadent.  Or you could take that money and apply it to some other project altogether.  Often the human brain prefers to eliminate options and narrow down the choice.

Success in life depends on choices.  Choices in reality are opportunities.  Most of us do not have the opportunity to rocket to Mars, but we can fantasize what it might be like.  Fantasizing might well be a tool of progress, but to get to Mars we have to make many other choices along the way. When you choose to spend more time studying you open up more choices of courses and institutions.

In reality doing something or not doing something have consequences including further opportunities with choices to be made.

One opportunity for choices is your own health.  Unfortunately we are not all born healthy or in possession of the normal human capabilities.  There are many ways to exercise, many food choices and how to rest with many activities to distract you.  Do you seek medical advice?

Authority figures are with us when we are born, usually our parents, and most of us accept authority. As we gain more control over our body and environment we try to assert our own authority, sometimes by choosing other authority figures to accept.

Decidaphobia can best be explained with a restaurant analogy.  People can take a long time deciding even limited choices, but when the choices spread to many pages, the time taken to decide can take from the enjoyment.  Restaurants don't want you dilly dallying over choices for too long.  On the other hand some boast of the wide range of choices.  One office supply company used the slogan "the power of selection" to brag about how many choices they offered--long out of business.

Some of the biggest choices--who to marry (if so); what career to follow; which way to vote; how best to fit in; where to live, how to spend your money---each one is preceded by thousands of lesser choices. and has consequences--success or happiness--why not both?

Part of you knows what you should do, but you find it difficult to summon up the will power?  Here is some advice from an earlier post http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/09/the-willpower-instinct.html by way of Kelly McGonigal.

Photo:  Just another beautiful photo I chose cause I like it and hoped it would encourage you to read this blog..

Turtles have survived from the Dinosaur era

After listening to Lindsay Maxim from the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre on Fresh Air I was reminded of an earlier interest in turtles.  Like many youngsters I had a few pet turtles that all died prematurely.  My brother Marshall combined turtles with salamanders and we noticed that the salamanders kept losing their tails. Unfortunately, as is all too common we really didn't know how to take care of pet turtles.

Kawartha Trauma Centre was encountered in my travels as a salesman to veterinarians and pet stores. One of the clinics had initiated rescuing turtles after being inspired by youngsters and that action evolved into a provincial project.  An early project was signage to warn motorists on where turtles liked to cross the highway.  Turtles don't move very fast and are often difficult to see, so the result is a lot get hit.  As the shells are really bones many can heal if given the opportunity.

The odds of survival are bleak  something like 1% of eggs hatch and survive--the number of eggs obviously is part of their survival plan, but they do not increase their eggs when faced with a declining survival rate.

Turtles were recognizable 157 million years ago.  They breathe air, but lay their eggs on land.  The gender of the hatchlings are determined by temperature with hotter temperature increasing the number of females.  Mankind does not fully understand how different wild creatures fit into our ecology, but sea turtles are one of the few animals to eat sea grass which allows them to form a sea floor instead of just growing longer blades.  This is a breeding environment for many other aquatic animals.  Turtles commonly lay their eggs on sandy beaches.  The nutrition in the unhatched, abandoned eggs is one of the few sources proteins that allow dune vegetation to develop and in turn helps minimize erosion.

The greatest danger to turtles is the destruction of their habitat.  They live in wetlands.  As housing spreads more and more of their natural habitat is covered.   Climate change and pollution are a threat to turtles.  As the sea rises turtles will find it more difficult to find their ancestral egg nesting locations.  A rise in temperature could change the gender mix of the hatchlings.  Pollution of course amounts to poison for animals that (as suggested by Naomi Klein) can affect fertility.

Each species fits into the environment in ways we do not understand while we carelessly ignore them. An interesting feature of turtles is that apparently their organs do not deteriorate the way of most creatures (including humans).  Understanding their longevity better could benefit people.

If you have come across an injured wild turtle in Ontario call 1-705-741-5000.  Volunteers can give instructions of how to pick up a turtle and forward them to the Trauma Centre through 12 centres across Ontario.  To learn more you can go to their website is http://kawarthaturtle.org/  They are concerned with education and conservation as well as treatment.  Many other parts of the world have turtle rescue organizations.

The photo is actually from a visit to Cuba in Jossone Park at Veradero.  I ended up buying one of my favourite T shirts in Cuba with an emblazoned turtle.

New Zealand Ponders a New Flag

Several years ago Canada had a debate about changing our flag.  As I recall I was in high school and teenagers can be enthusiastic about changes.  Some older folks either felt we should be happy with our British oriented flag or that the topic was too frivolous to waste time on.  We did get a flag and most Canadians feel it does symbolize us and gets us respect from the rest of the world.  We are no longer mistaken for a British colony.

New Zealand is undergoing their own debate that might not be wrapped up for a few years, but I would like to encourage them.   A flag is a symbol and is supposed to reflect your country's values.  At one time Canada had a reputation for peace-keeping, although some politicians are trying to undermine that, most Canadians probably feel more comfortable with a peaceful image.  Apparently American back packers in Europe have found things go smoother if they stick on a Canadian flag sticker rather than an American one.

Like another outsider, New Zealand has a similar impact on the world.  Like New Zealand, Canada was settled by Europeans and was dominated by English, after putting aboriginals in a subordinate position.  The French settlers were a proud people not willing to give up their language and culture and although everything is not smooth, the British did let them keep their culture.  The natives were never as unified as Maoris  with their power diffused in a multitude of languages spread over a much greater expanse of land.  Increasingly our country is multi-cultural and we realize that is one of our strengths.  In some ways our Maple Leaf is more to be found in the southern parts of our country, but everyone identifies with it.


An outsider cannot really design a flag for you as we really can't understand your values and traditions the way they impact your lives.  Before I went to New Zealand the one thing I associated with you was the kiwi bird.  I used to shine my shoes with Kiwi shoe polish which I understand was used to identify the founder of the company.  When I actually visited we looked all over for Kiwis and found lots of stuffed ones and finally found some real ones (in the National Aquarium  in Napier) but were told we couldn't use flash to take a photo.  We did enjoy the watching.

However before leaving I was struck with the symbolism of the fern and have since learned of a design called the silver fern.  At the Auckland Museum I was very mesmerized with the Reflection memorial with ferns prominently displayed.  I was also impressed with a Maori guide at the Waitomo Caves who talked about ferns.

Living in the northern hemisphere we don't think a lot about the southern hemisphere,  Our focus is on our northern brethren and it might be helpful to remind us there is plenty of life on the other side of the equator.  Perhaps the southern cross could serve that purpose..

An ideal flag is unique and symbolic of your values.  When us outsiders think about New Zealand (some more than others) we think of peaceful, resourceful people.  You might think some other attributes are more critical and can be captured in a unique symbol.  There is nothing wrong with a British connection as Canadians in general see our own connection as very positive, but we are different and so are you.  Some people think the red in our flag (and even the white) are what remains of the British link

Are there more important things to worry about?  Certainly there are--climate change, pollution, wars, inequality, the robotic revolution.  You can decide on a new flag anytime you want, but the sooner you do the sooner your own identity will enhance every thing else you do.

Rise of the Robots

You remember all those science fiction movies where robots run things?  They seemed pretty far fetched at one time, but lately not so much.  In the past various technological breakthroughs have disrupted business and society, but after a few adjustments our standard of living rose and everyone seemed to find a job that helped pay their bills.  Times are a changing.  Martin Ford helps explain in "The Rise of Robots."

You could always get a job maintaining the machine.  People would be paid enough salary they could afford to buy other things and keep  other people working.  We are rapidly evolving towards where less and less people are needed to even watch a machine and wages will not be enough to generate enough spending for other jobs.

To illustrate how the situation is progressing, Martin quotes from an American government study covering the years 1998 to 2013.  In that period when the American population climbed by millions and the GDP went up $3.5 trillion (allowing for inflation) but the hours worked were the same for both 1998 and 2013; 194 billion hours.

Computers can analyze immense details using the cloud and are becoming increasingly analytical, creative and replicable.  Their judgment is being considered more reliable in some cases than human judgment.  Artificial Intelligence has had many false starts, but is progressing.  Robots will have access to incredible amounts of information and have ever increasing abilities to sort through, analyze and make decisions.

Reading the news one can see future conflicts.  A much greater ability to automate fast food already exists, but has been put on hold partly for the availability of cheap labour.  With talk of minimum wages going to $15 an hour attitudes will change.  Automation also has the advantage of being perceived as more hygienic.  Education and health fields are perhaps the most difficult for automation, but already inroads are being made.

60 years ago some of my public school teachers were predicting a world taken over by robots, but they saw it as creating a leisure world for the masses.  Today the bottom line is that the robotic revolution will increase profits for those at the top while those at bottom will have great difficulty in getting a job and most jobs will have lower wages.  The rate of change is very likely to accelerate.

Martin Ford takes on myths.  Too many economists (and others) see a (distant) problem, but take it for granted that society will adjust with only minor concerns.

China is supposed to pick up the consumption slack, but with one child policy they are aging rapidly--women are scarce and men have to save up money to attract marriage partners.  They too are replacing cheap labour with robots.

Demographics with aging population will release job opportunities for the young.  Actually robots have been snapping up opportunities faster than graduates are available.   In Japan with the most aging population, robots are becoming critical.  A personal investment in Honda was predicated strongly on this idea as they are among the world leaders in robotics.

Education is not the solution envisioned by politicians.  First most jobs are repetitive and computers are taking over more and more tasks not only of the repetitive jobs, but now encroaching on the territory of professionals.  In fact we also have is credential creep, meaning education is just moving the bar on job qualifications without actually being necessary for performance.

While some are touting the role of the job creators others see a different reality.  Investors and business owners are looking to minimize the cost of labour.  Off shoring is only one concrete indication and robotics is an even bigger force.  When people lose a job, when their wages are diminished, when the future seems uncertain (job creators are supposedly concerned about uncertain regulations), when credit dries up, people stop spending.  When that happens business slows down.  A more basic problem become how to distribute purchasing power.

Henry Ford is credited with paying his workers enough in wages to actually buy one of his cars.  Robots don't buy anything, although they do consume maintenance.

The author's suggested remedies will run up against the party of the status quo, otherwise known as Republicans (and they have their counterparts in the rest of the world.)  Change is discomforting to the status quo, even though we are all part of the change.  Those at the top want to stay on top, those on the bottom are scrambling not to lose their ranking in the pecking order.

Guaranteed income in one form or another should be adopted.  It needs to be set to be liveable, but not to eliminate incentives.  Martin suggests education could warrant higher pay, even if just to have more productive leisure time.  Taxpayers contributed to research leading to technology innovations  (http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/07/the-entreprenurial-state.htmll) and that fact can help rationalize the guaranteed income as a dividend.  A safety net does not just make some people lazy, it also gives others the confidence to take a risk that could result in necessary innovation.

Martin refers to Thomas Piketty's book and adds that robotics could just accelerate inequality.  Read more:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/10/capital-in-twenty-first-century.html

Those in power have never been in a better position to consolidate their power, but many concerned citizens and voters can impose a different perspective.  Unemployment (and under employment) are top of mind for voters and vested interests can manipulate government bodies to bend to their will.  At the same time climate change can be tackled without losing a lot of jobs (but losing profit for those invested in fossil enterprises), but again can end up being part of legislative blockage.  A lot of choices to be made.  We all need to be better informed.  This book deserves a lot of attention.

"Thieves of State" shows how corruption endangers peace.

One of our greatest fears as shown in international headlines is terrorism by religious extremists.  For many of us it makes little sense that religious fanatics can get such a strong violent following that the rest of us become paranoid.  We credit ignorance behind it.  Sensible civilized people would never allow themselves to be bamboozled.

Sarah Chayes paints a different picture in "Thieves of State," subtitled "Why Corruption Threatens Global Security."  First she describes her own experience in Afghanistan and later other hot spots where she gradually came to understand different factors at work.  She examined our own Western traditions and current practices to help make sense of it.

The key word is corruption.  Some other words on the same theme are kleptocracy and extraction.  An unconnected citizen cannot get anything done without adding unofficial money to the procedure.  Many people trying to advance their career opportunities need money more than talent.   We frown on foreign cultures where it appears to be normal, but we overlook our own history and our own involvement.

She started out as a reporter for NPR (which I regularly listen to and first heard about this book) covering the Mid East and north Africa, picking up a comfort level with the Arab language.  She volunteered to work with government agencies as she was not satisfied just to write about problems.

In Afghanistan she worked with American diplomats and military leaders and over a period of time came to appreciate that corruption was everywhere and the Afghani citizens at the bottom were very displeased about it.  Some saw the only way to deal with it was to support the religious extremists who offered an alternative.  Sarah convinced me at least, as well as most of the Americans she worked with that corruption was a major problem. But those in authority thought it was more important to combat insurgents than to deal significantly with the corruption.  She worked with Petraeus, McChrystal, Mullen and many others.  She also worked with some Afghanis she trusted who helped her understand better the underlying pins.

You may have read many people accusing Hamid Karzai of being corrupt and didn't want to believe it.  How could the Americans support him and how did he remain in power?  American politicians and military leaders felt they needed his support more than they needed to clean up his governance.  The Afghan people seem ungrateful and ignorant, but in reality they live with corruption and hypocrisy and it makes them look for alternatives.  The Americans are often seen as enablers.

She then explored other hot spots including Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Uzbekistan and found similar patterns.  Whenever corruption takes hold, the people look for alternatives.  There have always been religious extremists that are mostly ignored except they often provide a more ethical procedure.  In Nigeria large numbers have found the court system too corrupt for their comfort and have been advocating Sharia court, principally because they see it being more just and fair.

Machiavelli is known by those who have not read him for his advice on how to gain and maintain power.  I had not realized he was against corruption, for the practical reason it compromises real power.  The author quoted other Western philosophers, but also one Persian Nizam al-Mulk who described the faults of corruption.  But it seems those in power soon learn to ignore restrictions.

A favorite ploy of dictators heading a corrupt regime is to claim the only other choice is religious fanatics.  Syria is a good example.  Saudi Arabia has to keep a tight lid on those who feel their rulers are not pious enough.

Sarah explores history.  Educated in Ontario, Canada it was ingrained in me that England was most critical in modern democracy.  Without taking from England the author gives some credit to the Dutch.  They were under the rule of Spain and a monarch who declared that he ruled by the divine right of God and did not have to answer to anybody else.  They fought and what we know as the Netherlands emerged with democracy and more important perhaps a sense that rulers are accountable.
They enjoyed two centuries of prosperity and creativity.  Many Dutch particularly those in the unsuccessful part of their rebellion (now Belgium and parts of France) fled to England where they were given some protection by Queen Elizabeth.

Queen Elizabeth, left no children and the throne fell to another divine right believer.  A generation later, Parliament after being asked to support a war against Scotland rebelled and the English Civil War resulted.  After a period of adjustment the English arrived at a better system of accountability, including a constitutional monarchy.

Protestants seemed to be involved in rebellions and Sarah delved deeper into their foundation.  It turned out Martin Luther had many grievances regarding corruption in the Catholic church and both ordinary people and leaders had sympathy.  Some of their early actions could be described as religious extremism, but many others saw them as a solution to corruption.

Corruption all too often seems to follow the discovery of new natural resources such as oil or minerals when those in power can grab a disproportionate share of the new riches.  Extractive refers not only directly to the new resources, but to the underlings who also try to get a piece of the action.

Americans are seen as poor models by many nations.  Some of the mechanisms that enable corruption include privatizing, minimizing regulations (financial and environmental) and allowing corporate payoffs to politicians.  No one was prosecuted for significant acts that led to the Great Recession starting in 2008.  The author points out there are powerful lobbies that affect government policy in defense, energy and health.  Americans have a decades long history of supporting Arab dictators who they knew were corrupt.

One of the forces that helped break down the Soviet Empire was in Poland where the Pope was a rallying point for many dissatisfied with the government. Not so much religious extremism, but surely religion provided an alternative tool.

Solutions are suggested.  Corrupt despots crave legitimacy in such forms as being seen with legitimate politicians so such opportunities should be minimized.  Intelligence needs to be gathered on corruption with the same priority as terrorism.  Diplomats need to seek direct contact with ordinary citizens without intermediaries (of course that is how a spy network is formed, but the author is referring to people who could give a truer picture of what their government does for them).  We do have some leverage in such areas as student and visitor visas highly desired by despots, transparency in payments to foreign leaders.  Corruption tangles up all our good intentions, but once it is realized it is a root cause of terrorism it can be dealt with as a higher priority.

The Pan American Games come to Ontario

The Pan American Games are seen by some (athletes and bureaucrats) as a stepping stone to the really important event, the Olympics.  By others it is seen as bush league or a burden on tax payers.

My viewpoint is that it is an opportunity to showcase your talent.  That is true for both athletes, bureaucrats and taxpayers.  Those who love sports and those who love international pageantry should see it as a feast, maybe not as exciting as the Olympics, but a lot closer and competitive within its limitations.

The Olympics fascinated me as a young boy and although it sometimes seems too commercial it never fails to get my attention.  I lived the excitement through newspapers and television and lately the inter net, but only have a very slight personal connection.  The Pan Am Games intruded into my personal life and that of my neighbours and fellow Canadian citizens and taxpayers.  We started off unimpressed and a bit jaded, but now that they are over maybe we missed too much of a good thing.

As with almost everything else the sports world is increasingly globalized.  At the same time the grassroots has never lost its importance.  While us armchair quarterbacks pontificate on the merits or lack of them for athletes and sports events it all starts beneath our radar.

Toronto stymied at Olympic bids obtained the rights to the 2015 Pan American Games.  One smart thing was to spread the events around Ontario.  They got several municipalities invested in the idea and spread out potential traffic problems.  My home town, Hamilton was given a chance to hold both the soccer games and the indoor cycling and at another time they had a shot at track and field.  Not everyone on council or in the bureaucracy saw this as an opportunity and we ended up just getting the soccer, the second most popular sport.

Along the way I heard complaints about the stadium being behind schedule, from someone on site.  The Go Station was supposed to be ready to help expedite ticket buyers from out of town to the game, but every day I either drove or walked past it and could see little progress.  Lots of complaints about how unimportant it was or others about how poorly we were handling it.

For prior years there had been a big controversy over our Hamilton Ti-Cat football facilities, known as Ivor Wynne Stadium, named for one one of the founders of the British Empire Games.  It was recognized as no longer up to standards.  The owners wanted to move it to a location where they could charge for parking, but a lot of citizens myself included wanted it located near the harbour where it would be more central and accessible (for instance in walking distance of the proposed new GO station.)  With the Pan Am Games money was found to upgrade the stadium and it was decided to keep the same location in a residential neighbourhood with poor parking.  It was behind schedule and failed to open in time for the football schedule, but they did try it for a concert and later for a friendly women's soccer game prior to the Women's World Cup.

It became evident that a lot of the best athletes were not going to come.  It turns out that for many it is necessary to qualify for the Olympics through a different procedure, although some events were qualifying.  When the Olympics opened up for professional athletes someone somewhere seemed to decide that regional events like the Pan American Games would be more for development.  Just a few weeks before the Canadian women organized our best women (many playing professionally) and they gave a good account of themselves but for the Pan American Games almost all the players were under 22.  Different countries handled the rosters differently.

Finally the Games were set to begin.  The Open Ceremonies were first class with Cirque de Soleil organizers involved.  Lots of fireworks (around the CN Tower) and celebrities.  Steve Nash, one of my heroes lit the flame and Bobby Orr was introduced at one point.

I was able to buy tickets for a women's soccer game with my son visiting from New Zealand.  It was a double header with Ecuador vs Brazil first followed by Canada vs. Costa Rica.  In the first game underdog Ecuador scored first with what I recall as the best goal in the Pan Am, but easily wiped out by 5 goals from one Brazilian player.  Although the crowd was far from full they supported Canada, but unfortunately Costa Rica won 2-0 in what was a satisfying display for me.  Costa Rica had been one of my favourites in the men's World Cup as they upset much higher ranked teams.  We were able to walk about three blocks from home, pick up a bus for free (included in ticket price) and walk about two blocks to the game.   I hadn't been to the old Ivor Wynne Stadium in many years, but the new originally called Tim Horton's Field , but for the Pan Am relabelled CIBC Stadium was much improved and I was unable to detect any serious flaws.

The rest of the actual Pan-Am games for me was on tv and increasingly on the inter-net where you would get more live action.  Many highlights were enjoyed.  The women's basketball with Kia Nurse from Hamilton, an instrumental force in Canada winning the gold medal against favoured Americans.  Kia was chosen to be the flag bearer at the Closing ceremonies. The men's basketball was also exciting and I was impressed not only with Canada, but also, Brazil who won the gold medal, and also, Argentina, and little Dominican Republic.  Perhaps the top players might have made a difference, but competitive all the same.

I watched a little baseball, but missed the best part.  In the gold medal game the score was tied at the end of 9 innings and I started to watch extra innings.  An unusual (but sensible) rule was that in extra innings each team starts out with men on first and second and can tinker with the batting order.   The Americans scored two runs in their half and I decided I needed to get to bed, but taking advantage of an error Canada won.  Baseball had been eliminated from the Olympics, but seems likely to be reinstated for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Track got a lot of my attention with Canadians successful in the decathlon, high jump and sprints.  One of the special moments for me was when Damian Warner set a new Pan Am record and the higher Canadian record in the decathlon with the previous record holder, Michael Smith in the announcer booth.  Mike was more than gracious, praising Damian and suggesting he will break more records in the future.   To me the most exciting track events are the relays, especially the 4 x 400.  They were all enjoyable, but unfortunately De Grace missed his chance for a third gold medal when afterwards the Canadians were disqualified.

Equestrian sports got my attention.  The team event was a qualifier for the Olympics and with a little luck they came through in fine style.  Jessica Phoenix won a silver medal in individual eventing.  I remember her from some photo ops at the Royal Winter Fair where she was uncommonly gracious.

There was a wide range of events, some of which are not Olympic events such as bowling and water skiing, but I only saw snippets of them.  I found myself watching a fair amount of soccer and volleyball, but missed some of my normal preferences of swimming and gymnastics.

I didn't see the closing ceremonies as I opted to go to a fireworks/music display near where I live.   There was a little bit of controversy with the choice of for main entertainment.  Although popular people objected to an American, Kanye West getting the spotlight.  I remember for the Atlanta Olympics the organizers had to explain why Celine Dionne was given prime spot at their closings and they just said they wanted the best.  When I think of Pan America I think of Latin music with Brazilian amongst my favourite entertainment.  Nothing against Kanye, if the organizers thought he was the best and most appropriate one available, but my tastes are different.  A preliminary singer was Serena Ryder who had sung theme song which I liked more than enough to buy the iTune version and went on to buy the French and Spanish recordings.  One of the writers of the song was Jasmine Denham and she sang the French version.  This was the 400th anniversary of francophones in Ontario.

The city of Hamilton decided to have a free concert with a special fireworks display.  I got a little late and just saw the tail end of the Turbo Street Funk Band which seemed like a fun group.  Terra Lightfoot, who I had never heard before was given a chance to perform with the National Academy Orchestra under the direction of Boris Brott--turned out to be very enjoyable.  The Fireworks were done by Circus Orange.

Was the fuss worth it?  I would say it deserved more fuss and that many missed an opportunity.  Why do we like sports?  Perhaps some like skill, strength, speed, but more likely competitiveness.  There was plenty of skill and certainly competitiveness.  Maybe we didn't see the very best, but we did see some excellent and developing athletes.

To me such events are more than just sports as there is the international element.  As hockey fanatics have a tendency to appreciate the nations that are competitive in that sport.  Not too many hockey players in the Caribbean or Central and South America, but they do produce a lot of top notch soccer, basketball, baseball players and sprinters.

A major concern with the organizers was traffic.  Traffic congestion would leave a bad impression on visitors as well as taxpayers.  One solution was called a HOV lane which normally requires only one passenger to allow a car to use the fast lane.  For the Pan Am Games two passengers were required.  Taking our son to the airport we were able to use the HOV lane which greatly speeded up the process but coming back with only the two of us it was noticeably slower.  Still provincial authorities were pleased with the results and may adopt it as a long term solution.  The Go Station did open in time and combined with shuttle buses made it easy for out of town visitors to get to the games and back home or hotel quickly.
 
A lot of local Hamilton merchants not too happy about how the GO service worked as people found little near the stadium to interest them and speeded out of town without spending much money (outside the stadium of course).  If we ever get another chance (say for the Grey Cup) we should try to remedy this oversight so that more local businesses could benefit and visitors could have a more enjoyable experience.  I understand hotels did benefit from officials and soccer teams staying in Hamilton

For me I like to experience foreign cultures and felt compelled to visit a local restaurant which has become a favourite, Culantro Peruvian Cookery.  We took our son on his last night and the owner/chef came to thank us.

A lot of money has been spent and now that two weeks of enjoyment are over what is left?  A few Olympic calibre buildings, an Athlete's Village that will open for residents, perhaps new traffic system that will improve the environment.  Did you get a chance to appreciate a little bit about our neighbours to the south?  We will be working with them more in the future and hopefully enjoying new relationships and new arts.

In Hamilton we did get an improved stadium and perhaps we learned a few things that will be useful when other opportunities come our way.  Bringing a GO station a little sooner will in the long run have a positive effect on the whole line.   Did we elevate anyone's opinion of Hamilton or Ontario?  Remember we had the opportunity to reach out to not only Ontario and Canada, but all of the Caribbean, Central and South America.  We shouldn't forget American visitors many of whom would find it easy to re-visit.  How good did we do?

I hope one way or another I can get a taste of Parapan Games that start in another week or so.   Way back in 1976 when the Olympics were held in Montreal I was involved in writing a book on basketball and although I was not able to make it to Montreal the Paralympics were held in Etobicoke and I made a few trips to better understand wheelchair basketball.  What I most remember was Arnie Boldt winning a gold medal and setting a world's record in a light rain.  it was astonishing to me and my wife what a one legged man could do.  I also remember one of the dominant wheelchair basketball teams came from Israel where it was explained they take very good care of their war veterans who suffered in military action.  The other brief connection I had with the Olympics was with the Olympic basketball qualifying tournament in Hamilton where I saw many games using a press pass.

PHOTOS:  Women's soccer action between Canada and Costa Rica
Terra Lightfoot with the National Academy Orchestra
Michael Davidson, Juan Castillo, the owner/chef of Culantro Peruvian Cookery and Heather Davidson