It was 42 years ago in Sapporo, Japan that Canada came home from the Winter Olympics with just one medal: a silver from figure skater Karen Magnussen.
Four years later Canadians improved with three medals at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. But it was down to just a pair in 1980 at Lake Placid, N.Y.
But at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Games, Canada began a remarkable climb to the dominance it now enjoys at the Winter Olympics.
Canada won four medals, including two gold and a bronze by speed skater GaÈtan Boucher.
The next Winter Games in 1988 were of course held in Calgary, and Canada picked up five medals but no gold. In fact, Canada was forced to claim the dubious distinction that year of twice being the only host country from any Olympic Games not to claim a gold medal. Canada was previously shut out from gold at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
But the dark days for Canada at both Olympics have changed, especially the Winter Games where Canada is now a world power. Since the Sarajevo Winter Olympics Canada has improved on its medal total in every subsequent Games, from four in 1984 all the way up to 26 at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics when Great White North athletes set a record gold medal haul with 14.
Yes, it is now Canada's time to shine on the world stage, and with the Sochi Winter Olympics beginning this Friday (Feb. 7) and running until Feb. 23, the question of whether Canada will do well has long passed.
The question now is how well, and will Canadians once more raise the medal bar, which they have done now for the past 30 years since the great GaÈtan Boucher thrilled the nation in Sarajevo.
Many would still argue that it doesn't matter, and that we should cling to the old Canadian mantra, ìAs long as they do their best.î
But the days of Canada just maintaining its famous face of politeness at the expense of passionate competitive fire left permanently during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Canadians now want to win, and not just at hockey. They seek to win every event. That is the goal, and all that politeness can be tossed aside for every one of those potentially glorious 17 days in Sochi. Today's Canadian is allowed for the next two and a half weeks to show their swagger to the world.
For many of us, it will be that time again to wake up in the morning and check the television channels and websites for Canada's certain magnificent run at Sochi. Of course, hockey ñ both men's and women's teams ñ will be the No. 1 attraction but new heroes will be born in Sochi, and millions across the land will honour them with unbridled enthusiasm.
What is more is that there is now a sense of justified entitlement for Canadians at the Winter Olympics. We are historically a land of ice and snow, and what happens there is just part of who Canadians are. It is no longer just the sole territory of the great athletes from the frozen landscapes of Norway, Russia and Austria.
The Great White North has finally secured its own domain at the Winter Olympics -- and there is an unbreakable notion it won't let go unless hell freezes over.
