ATHLETES DO US PROUD

As the curtain fell on the Games in Rio on Sunday, we are left to reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly of those Summer Olympics. The good is easily defined — the striking firstrate performances by Canada’s athletes, both in actual competition and in their behaviour and deportment, which was the class of any field, track or ring they graced.

Four gold, three silver and 15 bronze medals — the Canadian effort can surely be judged a success for a nation where the colder sporting endeavours so often prove our stronger suit. And praise indeed for the fabulous Canuck women, who led the way with 16 medals, and again established this country as a power in the swimming pool.

But winning isn’t everything. Holding yourself with grace under extreme pressure while those around you flounder and flail is, if anything, more important. Medals are marvellous, but character never loses its sheen. Canadians managed this in a Games constantly speckled with controversy and pettiness.

As for the bad, well, the decision to allow the participation of various athletes from Russia — a country that engaged in state-sponsored drug cheating at its Games in Sochi — was a disgrace, tarnishing the entire Olympic movement.

Then, the host country announces that the Paralympics, which follow these Games, are going to be severely curtailed because they’ve run out of money. There also was the ugly sight of athletes involved in make-believe gunpoint robberies, while others were banned from the final ceremony because of loutish behaviour.

Meanwhile, the local crowds, not content with cheering on their own heroes, hurled abuse at anyone challenging a Brazilian for a medal.

Which brings us suitably to Calgary and its cautious first steps toward a bid for the Winter Games in 2026. “From almost the moment that I was elected mayor, six years ago almost, citizens have been coming to me saying, ‘It’s time,’ ” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi in deciding to spend $5 million to explore the opportunity.

We echo those sentiments. We expect the feasibility study would be thorough and itself an exercise in frugality, just as we’d expect that, if ultimately successful, such a glorious event would mirror that cost-consciousness.

Countless Albertans and visitors enjoyed the 1988 Games, which made a profit of $140 million and left legacy facilities such as the Olympic Oval, Canmore Nordic Centre and Canada Olympic Park. Some will say Calgary doesn’t need another Olympics. Perhaps, but ask instead whether the Olympics might instead need Calgary.