Maybe you're concerned about Zika? Or you recoil in horror at the filthy water?

Perhaps you think the Olympics don't really matter or that this one is particularly problematic.

All of these concerns are fair game. Issues around preparedness, security, health and human rights are worthy of our attention. Sport is a lens for the world, so this discourse is really important.

Megan Kalmoe: Stop dumping on Olympics

If the Olympics were only ever held in perfectly pristine cities like Oslo or Copenhagen, we might not be as inclined to address these important global challenges.

But I have a little request, since today is opening ceremony day. Can we seriously shut up about the water? In the nicest, kindest Canadian way possible… can we talk about something else? I’ll even talk about what I eat for breakfast if I don’t need to answer one more dirty water question.

I’ll echo this awesome blog written by my twitter friend and American Olympic Rower Megan Kalmoe and say “Canada, stop trying to ruin the Olympics for us, I’m more than willing to paddle through crap for you, it is worth it” (She didn’t use the word crap, read her blog, it’s great).

There is no other gathering of this size that allows people from all over the world to meet and share their stories and showcase their talent to the world. We build goodwill, friendships and bridges at a time when building walls between us and our neighbours has dominated the daily headlines.