1. National pride is an amazing thing.
2. This is true whether the country you are competing for is the one you were born in, or your parents, or your grandparents. Or,
ahem ice dancing, one newish to you.
3. Everyone here is trying to do their best and that's something to be applauded even if their best is more or less good than the next person's.
4. If you fall down, get up and keep going. Sometimes your worst day might be televised.
5. Winning is excellent.
6. Competing is excellent.
7. Sometimes openings occur because other people fail. You take those, but you also applaud the efforts of your competitors.
