Inspiration. Commitment. Beauty. Pride. I have not been a life-long sports fan, but I was inspired during these Olympics by Canada's spectacular athletes, and by the cultural events created by the people and institutions of Canada. First, the athletes: Joannie Rochette skated for her mother, her father, and her grateful country. Clara Hughes earned her second Winter Olympic medal, making her the only Olympian athlete ever to win multiple medals at the Summer and Winter Olympics. If Canadians can follow in the footsteps of these two wonderful athletes, and all the others, we will achieve something in our lives. The cultural events were a real highlight for me, from the Aboriginal Artisans Village and the beautiful First Nations art everywhere, to the Mint Pavilion housing the largest gold coin in the world, to the light-giving Olympic Cauldron, memorable especially at night. I and my wife even waited 8.5 hours to see the medals--and it was worth it! Thank you, Canada!