Firas Al-Atraqchi: A Win That Defines a Nation

Canadian flags are waving, Canadian cheers are rising; Canadian spirits are embracing a hard-won, much deserved victory.

Canada today beat back 50 years of frustration and an over-confident U.S. adversary to reclaim the gold medal in Men’s Ice Hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Canada’s 5-2 victory comes 50 years to the day since Canada last won Olympic gold in men's hockey when the Edmonton Mercurys represented Canada at the 1952 Winter Games in Oslo, Norway.

The victory is especially sweet because it follows the Canadian Women’s ice hockey gold medal win over the U.S. team on Thursday.

Is this a win that defines a nation? You bet.

Today’s win erases the self-inflicted belief that Canada can only play second fiddle in anything and everything. In the post-9/11 environment there were debates whether Canada could lead for itself, determine its own foreign policy and embrace the world with Canadian values and ethics.

No one will be stomping over the Canadian flag anymore. Not now. Not ever.

- Firas Al-Atraqchi, MA, is a Muslim Canadian journalist living on the Pacific Coast

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