Why do you do what you do?

Patrick Chan's recent interview statements have certainly put him in some hot water. I understand that he wants to do both countries, China (where his parents came from), and Canada (where he comes from), proud. But he, and everyone else in sport, should ask themselves the question: "Why do I do what I do?"

This is an important question in sport and in life. And if you answer it honestly, it will provide you much clarity and direction.

If Patrick chose figure skating to become rich and famous, then I would say he's kidding himself. Very few athletes, amateur or even professional, have global recognition and brand power like a top ranked tennis pro, a NHL hockey star, or NBA MVP. Some successful athletes enjoy a few moments in the media spot light at the height of their career, but soon they become ordinary people as their career fade.

Yes, Canada loves hockey, that's not a bad thing. Most of us watched and cheered during the 2010 Games and collectively held our breath in the final moments of that gold medal hockey game. However, if you pick any Canadian off the street, they might know Sidney Crosby's name, but ask them to name some of the other players on that gold medal winning team, and I bet you they can't do it.

Personally, I don't think this is a bad thing. I think many professional athletes are overvalued commodities, often getting far more in financial rewards than they deserve. I mean, can you really tell me that a mediocre NBA player (say, making 5 million dollars a year) is 50 times more important than a doctor saving lives in the ER? Much of this is the result of the commercialization of sport. And while certain global icons like Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky have done great things for popularizing their sport throughout the world, a whole lot of others rich athletes have not.

Now, our Canadian sport system is not perfect. But China's system isn't without problems either. I have trained with and talked with many Chinese athletes. They compete on the amateur stage (i.e., Olympics), but really are professionals since sport is their 9-5 job. I think just about everyone of these Chinese athletes told me, if they were in my shoes and had a career outside of sport, they would not be involved in sport.

While some may envy the support the Chinese athletes get from their state sponsored sport system, they in turn, envy us for our freedoms. I am involved in amateur sport because I want to. I live a healthier life because I am involved in sport. I may not have 6 hours to put into training every day, but I have a successful career as an engineer. And when I grow tired of my sport, I can retire, and still live a happy and successful life. Most of the Chinese athletes, including ones who've won numerous medals on the world stage, have no other skills outside of sport. If they aren't lucky enough to become coaches, when they are done with sport, or more accurately, when the sport system is done with them, they are left with nothing. This is why you hear stories of Chinese Olympic gold medalists and former world champions working as bath house attendants or physical labors, selling off their medals to pay for food and shelter. Are they still famous then?

Very few athletes accumulate fame and fanfare, and being a successful athlete doesn't entitle you to that. I don't know who said it first, but Olympians are ordinary people doing extra-ordinary things. Personally I think it is very satisfying to know that there are many Olympians among us, on the TTC, in a movie theatre, strolling down the street walking a dog (okay, maybe running a dog, since they are Olympians!). I think if we can inspire more kids to be active and participate in sport, then we've done a good job. To me, that's worth much more than fame and fanfare.

So Patrick, would you still skate in an empty rink with no one watching, and no spotlight shining? Would you still skate if there was no podium, and no one handed you flowers and draped medals around your neck?

Why do you do what you do?