Speaking Out

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/04/2010 (5927 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A sampling of online reader reaction at winnipegfreepress.com to Jason Gunnlaugson’s decision to curl for the Russian Federation:

Go for it and enjoy every single minute of this amazing opportunity!!

Talk about an incredible way to expand one’s horizons and see that there is so much more to life beyond the confines of the Perimeter Highway.

— Solberg

I wonder how much the possibility of spending time in another country (and one like Russia) with financing is the driving force. As a young adult, roughly the same age as this curler, I took the opportunity to spend time in a European country. It was one of the greatest things I ever did and still look back highly at the time I spent there.

Maybe Jason is taking the best opportunity that came to him to live in another country (and one as dissimilar as Russia) and that may be a large reason for choosing this.

— Steve

Can’t knock them for making the decision. This is Russia’s first (of many) attempt at having a better showing at the Olympics. Countries have been doing this for years. China using Canadians as coaches (figure skating). Greece allowing you to represent Greece if you had heritage from there (i.e., your grandfather was from Greece, hence you represent Greece at Olympics). I personally think you should play for the country you were born in regardless if greener pastures are offered elsewhere. Happy for the curlers if that’s what they choose. THIS IS ALL AN ILLUSION TO SHOW HOME-COUNTRY PROWESS AT THE GAMES.

— Null

What a bunch of asinine comments. These guys have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Playing for Russia will allow them to compete at an international level that will be fully funded. If Canada funded them to this level, they would not be leaving. I know one of these guys very well, and he consulted with family & friends prior to deciding. Who in their right mind would tell them not to? To get a full-time salary to quit your day job to curl?! And get full funding to compete at international events, + an almost guaranteed opportunity to compete at the Olympics in 2014. To represent Canada in 2014 would be their dream come true, but these guys know the chance for any of the top 10 Canadian teams to get out of Canada is just that — one in 10, at minimum. Plus they will get the chance to travel & see the world on someone else’s bill.

Good luck guys!!!! I am SO excited for you and wish you ALL the best.

— DPR

Well said, DPR. I shake my head at all of you that are so negative. I can only assume that you are all a bunch of couch potatoes who are extremely jealous of the great opportunity these 3 young guys have. Your comments display that you obviously have no idea what kind of commitment and talent it takes to compete at their level, and what a great opportunity it is to be an Olympic athlete.

— Justin Reischek

Earn a spot for Sochi? Zawada was the youngest on tour and put up averages of almost 90% in both pretrials and trials, playing against the best in the world.

You’re selling out to go to the Olympics, both financially and by country. Admit it. Don’t say you want to become the best in the world and this is the best way. Don’t go where it’s easier; play the best of the best and then in a couple years you might EARN a spot. And to leave out the only consistent bright spot on your team is a big mistake.

— Reader