Canada's Role in Olympic 2012 Essay

Canada's Role In Olympics 2012

Canada is a multicultural, multi-ethnic and bi lingual country where people from all parts of the world travel to in search of a new life, of better earning and educational opportunities. The state is a democracy or parliamentary democracy, as the people select the cabinet and the Prime Minister but it is still a colony of the British Empire as Queen Elizabeth is considered the actual head of the country. Area wise Canada is the second largest country and has a population of 33.4 million. Its average income places it at the ninth position, signifying wealthy, prosperous land and people. Canadians are avid sports fans and participate in a number of games. The most popular and official sports are: Ice Hockey and Lacrosse. Other sports played in the country include: Baseball, Soccer, Basketball, Canadian Football, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, Snowshoeing, Gymnastics, Cricket etc. (West, J.T & Lindsay, P. L, 2012).

Canada has been a regular participant of the Olympics except for the 1896 Summer Olympics and 1980 Summer Olympics which they boycotted. The country has secured at least one medal per competition. It does not hold a lot of records but two important ones are: Cindy Klassen, Clara Hughes both won the greatest number of medals, six, for any Canadian. Clara Hughes is also the only sportsperson to secure medals in both seasons of the competition. She is still competing and is among the oldest contestants at sporting event (Campbell. D, 2012).

Analysis

The 2012 Olympic campaign for Canada is the most detailed and elaborates campaign ever, for the country. The sports and Olympics board have labeled the campaign 'Give your everything.' The first source we will analyze is a video of the CNC World Channels interview of the Chief Marketing Officer of Canadian Olympic Committee.The video uses the slogan of the committee to attract the attention of the audience. It explains that the Canadian team is made up of 50 athletes and their coaches participating in some 8 sports. The video also tells that the Committee is working hard to promote their sports and athletes. For the first time the Canadian Olympics Committee has arranged a television spot and has used all types of media to introduce the sportsmen to their public. They have prepared short documentaries in which athletes tell their stories and talk about their routine. According to Chief Marketing Officer, Derek Kent, these will help to send a message to the public that competing at this level is not easy and that their sportsmen work very hard. He also professes that the campaign is mostly targeting the younger age group, teens and people in their 20s, because they are most avid sports fans (CNC World Channel, 2012).

It has very attractive few seconds of footage where different sportsmen are featured and director of these clips is interviewed. It implies that Canadians are an extremely hard working nation. The footage of athletes at work reflects their dedication to sports and their tireless efforts. It also is meant to send a message that sportsman spirit is important and is trying to engender it in the hot blooded youth. It is trying to convey to people that competing and putting in best efforts is more important than winning. Thus the sportsmen would not face a lot of criticism if they fail to win a medal. Another message is the general feeling of solidarity found in the country as the board is going out of the way to secure good will for its players. It sends a message that says 'We take care of.....