My most enduring memory of Olympics past is from 1996, when Canadian sprinter Donovan Bailey powered his way to a world record in the 100-m run and a claim to the title of world’s fastest man.
My second is from 2002, when our nation’s men’s hockey team won its first Olympic gold in 50 years.
Both feats were matters of considerable national pride. Bailey’s win came in arguably the most glamorous event not only of the summer games, but the Olympics generally.
He won handily, coming from behind to beat his closest competitor by a full stride, and later helped Canada’s 4 x 100-m relay team to gold.  
More importantly, Bailey ran clean – as far as we know he was unaided by performance-enhancing drugs.
His victories did not erase the shame of 1988, when Ben Johnson was stripped of his medals and world record at the games in Seoul, but they were salve on a wound that had festered eight long years.
The hockey medal was of course one we were expected to win – one Canadians and people from many corners of the world figured we should win every Olympics.
That we won it on American soil, against our biggest international rival, with a piece of our currency planted in the ice surface for good luck, is the stuff of legend.
Because this is Canada, and because we did not do as well at the 2006 games in Italy, we don’t make much noise about it these days.
But 2002 ushered in a new era of Canadian Olympic hockey, and a high new standard.
After 2002, any medal other than gold was a symbol of failure. To fall short of a medal this year in Vancouver would of course be doubly disappointing – these are our Olympics, and we see hockey as our sport.
Both 1996 and 2002 are significant for me personally, partly because 1996 was the year I entered high school and 2002 was the year I finally escaped.
I was a vastly different person after the second moment than after the first, and they stand as key markers in my coming of age.
The world was also a slightly different place by the time we reached the latter event, if only because of the proliferation of the Internet.
In 1996 I shared Bailey’s win with a chat room full of other nerds, and it was still a novelty to do so.
By 2002 I spent more time writing e-mail than I did on the phone and about as much time as I spent talking to people face-to-face.
Like all Canadians I hope there will be a few memorable moments from the current Games in Vancouver.
I have doubts we’ll own the podium, as the fresh-faced urchins on television say can happen if only we believe.
But we do stand a chance to win a few medals, the sweetest of which would be another hockey gold.
Naturally, we’ll also keep our fingers crossed for Ilderton lad Scott Moir and partner Tessa Virtue, who are favourites to win a medal in ice dance.
We’ll cheer for Jeremy Wotherspoon, whose career is littered with international distinction but no gold medal from an Olympic Games.
As with any games, we’re apt to be both inspired and disappointed by what goes on. Some athletes will exceed expectations; others will fall short.  
The pressure for Canadian athletes to do well on their own soil will be considerable, and those who manage to win medals will be long-remembered.
The thing to keep in mind is that it's remarkable they're there in the first place, and that few people hold elite athletes to higher standards than they hold themselves.
Owning the podium would be great, but perhaps we can be content with an honest effort that's true to the ideals of amateur sport.
If we manage that, the Vancouver games will be something we can remember with heads held high.