The new year has arrived and with it, the Olympics are only 43 days away. The Canadian Olympic men's hockey team was announced on December 30. Hockey Canada chose 23 men to represent our Country's hopes and dreams. Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson said, “It is an exciting day for us and Canadian hockey fans, as we take a large step towards representing Canada proudly in men's and women's hockey at the Winter Olympics and in sledge hockey at the Paralympics.” Here in Merritt, we are going to share in the Olympic experience when the torch comes to Merritt on February 6.

Merritt is an official stop. Merritt will receive international media coverage. This is a chance to show Merritt in a good light and to cheer on our athletes to victory in the spirit of competition.

Yet, there are those that believe that this is a big party at the taxpayer's expense. The complaint is furthered by the argument that in a recession we should not be spending money on anything but roads and hospitals and our current ongoing social programs.

Nevertheless, these Olympics have built roads, created more housing in Vancouver, provided employment for builders, contractors, and support industries. These are good paying jobs that bolster our economy. They will leave behind world-class facilities for future events and continued training and development of our athletes. Cora-Lee, - on site Manager, for the B.C. tourist information office outside Merritt, says that people have been visiting B.C. since the summer, from as far away as Holland, on route to the Richmond Speed skating oval.

There is no doubt that the money spent on the Olympics has helped British Columbia weather the storm of the recession better than most provinces and Canada has done better than most countries in the world. Who better to host the Olympics than Canada and it's jewel province British Columbia. If we can't do it, who could? We should not settle for apathy strewn with muddled discontent that dissuades us from achieving greatness. Now is the time to cheer on our athletes, to cheer on our province and cheer on our Country as we get set to compete in these recessionary times and show the world that we are winners.

Perhaps we may even just show ourselves what we are made of when times are tough. Our athletes will face adversity, they will have challenges they will have stiff competition, yet they inspire us to succeed by the very virtue of their spirit to compete. With 43 days to go, there is still time to make plans to get tickets or just go visit the facilities and experience some positive energy. Join me in cheering on our local torchbearers as they pass through Merritt and cheering on Canada's best athletes.

--John Morash