Looking back and looking forward

This past weekend was a glowing example of how great this country can be, and how great it will be in years to come.

Saturday saw the likely departure of the most Canadian of bands, The Tragically Hip. Rocking stages across the country for decades, the Kingston band is putting their guitars down after enigmatic lead singer Gord Downie announced earlier this year that he has terminal brain cancer.

The concert, which lasted nearly three hours, was broadcast live from Kingston’s K-Rock Centre on CBC for the whole country to see, and many took the opportunity to do so. Early estimates have the viewership numbers in the range of 11 million. That’s nearly one third of the country’s population. And it is hardly surprising – this is a band that is quintessentially Canadian, and it would only make sense that so many would take the time on a Saturday night to watch what is very likely the final performance by the group.

And based on the viewing parties that sprung up across the country, from public parks holding public viewings on large outdoor screens to quiet viewings with friends in the backyard, watching the show on a projector, it really shows how something so Canadian, like The Tragically Hip, can bring people together.

The following night gave us a glimpse of the future. While the Summer Olympics have rarely been this country’s forte – the stereotypes of Canadians loving and living in snow seems to ring true come the Winter Olympics, based on the high medal counts – this year’s edition in Brazil shows that perhaps the tide could be changing. Although Canada did not place high in the overall medal standings, finishing with 22 (well below the United States, which came out on top with 121), the closing ceremonies let us recognize the stars that will be proudly wearing the maple leaf for years to come.

Canada’s flag bearer, Penny Oleksiak, was a true star of the games, bringing home four medals from the pools (not the green ones) from Rio. And the amazing thing is that she is only 16 – it is safe to say that if she keeps this up, we will hear O Canada on the podium for years to come, thanks to her efforts.

And the same goes for sprinter Andre De Grasse, who made a name for himself in last year’s Pan Am Games, coming home with three medals. While nobody expected he would beat Usain Bolt, De Grasse did the country proud, setting both personal and national best times throughout the event.

This past weekend just goes to show that not only do Canadians have a lot to look back on fondly, but that we also have a lot to look forward to.