Moment of Truth-Russians Refuse to Show and Pick up Bronze Men's Hockey Medal

National Post of Canada ^ | February 25, 2002 | Roy MacGregor

[codebreaker]

It's in the first hockey article on the front page ('Canada's Moment of Truth').

Dont let the door it your backside on the way out Russkies..

[codebreaker]

A purely non-politcal Olympic competition of course.

[codebreaker]

Ping

[AngrySpud]

Must be tough to be a Russian these days. They went from being a World Superpower to being a nation now known primarily for (1) epidemic alcoholism, (2) rampant corruption, and (3) vice.

But don't count them out just yet.

[JohnGalt]

My hope is that this will mark the begining of the end of that Nazi-inspired government boondoggle known as the Olympics.

[Far Right Of Left]

Between Wayne Gretzky bitchin' about how his team was being treated before the gold metal game & the Russians bitchin' about just about everything, I'm so proud of how our Olympians handled themselves. We proved we're now a Winter Olympic powerhouse and that we can handle defeat with grace and dignity,unlike most nations. Thanks to our athletes for a great Olympics & for once again showing why I'm proud to be an American!!!

[Argh]

As I posted elsewhere: I thought Wayne's remarks were appalling until last night. Gretzky said last night he went through that rigamarole to take the pressure off the team (which was getting a lot of flack from home after the first two games) to put it on himself, and he certainly succeeded in getting the spotlight put on himself. I don't know how brilliant a ploy this was, but he was VERY quiet and low-key on the CBC last night.

[pepperhead]

I thought they were awarded them after the Bronze metal game. Of course I turned off my TV set at the end of the game. But the announcers said they were getting them after the game because they wanted to go back to their NHL teams. I think I saw them preparing them on that try before the end of the game. And some of the Russians didn't blame the refs one bit for their loss. Fedorov was one of them. I guess Fetisov didn't wan't a NHL head coaching job very bad with his comments.

[wimpycat]

Speaking of classless behavior, wasn't it the US Hockey team that pitched a hissy fit and trashed their rooms during the last Winter Olympics? When I heard about that, I was doubly pissed. Unsportsmanlike conduct is sooooo...well, unsportsmanlike, no matter who does it. I especially don't like to see Americans doing it.

[codebreaker]

My bad, Russians getting under the skin big time..

[Tijeras_Slim]

They went from being a World Superpower to being a nation now known primarily for (1) epidemic alcoholism, (2) rampant corruption, and (3) vice.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[stlrocket]

The Registered Parody says it best.

RUSSIAN WHINERS

[pepperhead]

Both Fetisiov and Gretzky should be ashamed of the way they behaved.

[pepperhead]

Yes they did. I would like everyone involed in that.

[codebreaker]

At least we apologized for it, the Russian idiot pair skating girl is now saying stuff (after she leaves the country) like 'Why didn't we get another gold...'

[rbmillerjr]

yes, I expected more from our great(ha) Gretzkey-- when he used American bashing to fire up his limpy Canucks I put him on the B list. If you recall he said it was American propaganda,,,,,,about 1 day after American propaganda gained the Canadians a gold medal (rightful as it was)

and how about Gretzes American trophy wife fist punched and raised to the air at the American loss lol,,,,,,did anybody notice how she looked right into the camera when she hugged Gretz...yes, she has always been on the B list of actresses if an a list at all.

anyway, I'm glad for the candadian hockey players since we didnt win but Gretz you have been ranked accordingly on my Greatest athletes list.

[Far Right Of Left]

Agreed.Watched CBC last night after the game & he did seem low-key,if not relieved & emotionally exhausted. Guess having the expectations of a nation on you is pretty tough! I"m just tired of the fashionable "U.S. bashing" going on & hoped it would stay out of the Olympics. Where you from? First person I've talked to in this forum that gets CBC...

[Harp]

Yep, they got them after the bronze medal game. It broke tradition, but, as you say, they had other commitments to live up to and it's not as if they surprised people by leaving unannounced.

If this report had said that the Russians didn't really need to leave, that'd be one thing. As it stands the guy just seems like an ungracious winner.

Great job, by the way, Canada. I was hoping for an American win or at least a much closer game, but it was certainly no dishonor to take second to a team like Canadas.

[wimpycat]

At least we apologized for it,...

Did we? I don't remember that happening, but I'll take your word for it. We should have apologized. There's nothing uglier than a sore loser. And the Russians are acting a bit peevish, to say the least.