It’s easy for me to say that I absolutely love my job. For the past 10 days, I have planned my days and completed tasks related to these Olympic events, predicted results and developing stories.
The drama of the Olympic situation started before the Games officially started because of dronegate and the Canadian soccer team. With that, there followed an onslaught of media appearances, comments and updates on news programs. But the one thing that fascinates me, apart from journalism, is sports.
On Monday I found myself standing in front of the big screen completely devastated that Canada’s women’s 3×3 basketball team lost by two points to the US and lost the bronze medal.
I wrote about that team and I was curious about their strength and what could happen in Paris. It is a formidable but small group of very good players with great personality. I have watched many of their games, researched and interviewed team members. Although I care about the results, I really care about the people involved in the games and their stories.
I have a reputation for criticizing the systems in sports and I pride myself on being able to speak out about injustice. The reason I do this is because I really care about sports and people. As easy as it would be for me to be called a “feminist killjoy” who crashes a football party, I like to think it’s a lot of fun.
Every sports kid dreams of being on the Olympic stage. I certainly did. Although I didn’t have what it took to get there athletically, I appreciate what it took for others. And that doesn’t even count the barriers for Para sport, sportswomen, or marginal athletes, or in the Organization of Refugees (EOR).
As I got older and started to realize the complexities, it wasn’t until I started digging deeper into the social and historical issues of sports with my colleagues on a podcast I did with him called. All Hot that I understood it more fully.
We were avid Olympic watchers and enjoyed many aspects. We also talked about organizations and institutions like Olympic Games and enhanced reporting from Dave Zirin and Jules Boykoff Paris, etc Karim Zidane. Now I’m working with Donnovan Bennett and other great storytellers.
It is important to understand how sports and politics affect the world around us. There is a way to appreciate sports and support athletes, but also criticize the powers that try to control or force them.
And then there are those who push back. From a Congolese boxer Marcelat Sakobi asking the world not to forget the violence in Congo, to Canadian gymnasts Ellie Black and Shallon Olsen comfort their opponent after a loss. Those are the amazing stories I want to tell.
My dear friend and CBC colleague Devin Heroux, who currently publishes in Paris, always tells me that good storytelling and journalism is about people and relationships. As a result, it is impossible to be indifferent to the consequences. The effects are not just the story but part of the context.
I’ve talked to athletes who’ve had their dreams crushed, and I’ve talked to athletes who’ve won championships. My process is the same: take your time and tell the story while making it worthwhile.
I’d be lying if I said it didn’t matter. I was jumping up and down when Canada beat France in the soccer tournament. And then I saw them lose on penalties to Germany in the quarterfinals. I am sensitive, so of course it was sad for me. It also means that my part in covering the event is well done. But I’m still able to separate those feelings and do my job.
I’ve always been a big fan of games – especially ones I don’t talk about or haven’t played. This past week I became interested in judo because of Canada Christa Deguchi and his gold medal. I don’t know anything about judo but I’m happy to learn. I was amazed as I listened to Josh Hagen and Signa Butler call his game.
As someone who is interested in calling out corruption, abuse and oppression in sports in Canada and beyond, I am very involved when it comes to sports. I see the Canadian flag being raised and the anthem playing and I start to tear up. I used to resent myself for that but I’ve learned to embrace what my dear American friend Jessica Luther called “borderless nationalism.”
Criticizing Canada’s national sports organizations (NSOs) and sports issues helped me develop a deeper love for sports. I am not a Sufi monk who can detach himself from nothing and focus on one thing. Life is hard. Games are complicated. I love cheering on non-professional athletes and seeing their dedication come to fruition. Do I have concerns about exclusionary policies, chaotic control groupsand environmental problems? Of course. Does that mean I quit the game? Absolutely not.
I can lose my voice cheering for swimmer McIntosh at the relay, crying as the rugby 7s made history, and being inspired and proud of the football team that fought against all odds.
Being a sports journalist doesn’t mean I stop caring about the Olympics or turn to stone. It means I love where I live and I’m grateful to be able to participate in recreational sports and cover them professionally. And if I cry my hijab for a short time or a second, it is also very swollen.
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