Re: Language and the Games

Letter writer Jacqueline Barker proudly proclaims that “the fact that announcements at the opening ceremonies were given first in French, then English, made a huge positive impact on me and sent a strong message that Canada values its francophone residents.” I’m sorry to have to add even more rain to the already washed-out parade, but this should not be a source of national pride: The Olympic Charter states that the official languages of the International Olympic Committee are French and English; therefore, the announcements at the opening ceremonies for all Olympic Games, whether in Montreal, Beijing or Rio de Janeiro, must be given first in French, then English, and then, if different, the language of the host nation.

Note: This appeared as a Letter to the Editor in the Globe & Mail.