Posts tagged under Olympics. Show all posts.
Although the whole world is interested and excited about the Olympics this winter in BC, it’s probably safe to say that we Canadians already take the prize for the most enthusiastic country. And that’s part of the deal when you get to host.
That Olympic spirit is gaining momentum in many areas of Canada where the Olympic Torch Relay is taking place. There will be some VIP and celebs running with the torch like former Olympians Simon Whitfield and Catriona Le May Doan, as well as First Nations Chiefs, and the Premier of British Columbia (who have all run already). But there will be some ‘regular folk’ doing the bulk of the work, and while their names and faces might not make headlines, their participation is just as important in keeping the flame and the Olympic spirit alive.
SavvyMom is proud to say that our very own Michelle Tice, one of our Vancouver savvy scribes and our social media expert will be running in the relay this winter when the torch comes back to BC. We can’t wait to follow Michelle’s progress and we wish we could be there to cheer her on from the sidelines.
We’ll let you know how it goes for Michelle and in the meantime if you are interested in following the torch, try this link with a map or check out this video for a great introduction to beginning of the relay. The kids might enjoy it too.
Imagine being Chris Wheeler—the guy who is traveling across the country following the torch relay.
Is this your idea of a good job, or not?
Let us know what you think…and look for more Olympics on the SavvyMom blogs in the weeks to come.
First let me start off by saying that I am not always very creative when it comes to my kids. Luckily for me, I have a sister-in-law who is quite talented, and she is currently volunteering for two of her kids’ schools to create some 2010 Olympic Spirit crafts in their classrooms. We were together at a family gathering on Sunday and I was duly impressed with her latest creation. She has come up with a great Olympic souvenir that is sure to be a hit with both the 3 year-olds and the 7 year-olds (whose Winter Games excitement she is looking to pique). The best part is that this souvenir is also simple to make (even for moms) and cost-effective, too.
Homemade Gold Medals
What You’ll Need:
How to Make:
I can tell you first-hand that my boys thought these were the coolest gifts they had received in a while. One of my sons did not even want to take his off to go to bed. Their cousins (ages 3, 6, 7) also wore their new medals all afternoon.
Our kids may not yet understand what it takes to win a real medal (or qualify for the Olympics for that matter), but beyond the pure fun of having an Olympic souvenir, they gain a sense of the excitement building in our city and maybe as they watch their favourite athletes earn their real medals on the podium, they will understand the pride and passion these athletes deserve to feel.
Three years ago, I attended a UBC Alumni Olympic event, and during the course of the evening as we listened to all the amazing things that were going to happen in 2010, we also learned more about the Torch Relay. There was an amazingly poignant story shared from the 1988 Calgary Olympic Torch Relay that really resonated with me (in fact, I still get teary when I re-tell the story). As I left the event that night, there was only one thing on my mind: I had to apply for a spot on the torch relay, even though I knew my odds of being chosen were not great.
Just over a year ago, the selection process began. The first part of the process was random, and by June of last year, I found out that I was lucky enough to have been chosen by Coca-Cola to move to the second round. To advance past this second round, all candidates had to write an essay on either the positive impact they have had on themselves or others related to active living or helping the environment. I chose active living. I wrote about how I hoped my own accomplishments, most recently completing my first triathlon at age 40, would inspire my children to have confidence in their abilities and to continue to challenge themselves.
I also wrote about how important it was for my sons to lead an active life and how I hoped to instill the same passion and dedication in them that I have for sports, especially since one of my three-year-old twin boys has Type 1 Diabetes. Regular physical activity is critical to his long-term health and creating an environment where being active was routine and meant having fun was incredibly important to me and to our family’s health.
I found out in August that my essay had been selected by the Red Ribbon Panel of Judges, and I cannot even begin to express the excitement I felt. After a background check, my official congratulatory email arrived in September, and in December, I received the details of my relay segment and my official Cheer Kit and uniform. As the days count down to my relay day (February 5 in Whistler Olympic Park), and as the Torch’s 45,000 journey comes closer to its end point, I am becoming increasingly more excited and emotional about being one of 12,000 incredibly lucky individuals to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. I look forward to sharing my experience with you next week. Until then, wish me luck.
Congratulations Michelle—so proud of you— anxiously awaiting to hear about the experience !!
Wow Michelle, what an inspiring story. So proud of you! Can’t wait to read about the complete details. Post lots of pics too!
It is difficult to put into words the truly amazing experience I had last Friday as I carried the 2010 Olympic Torch along the Callaghan Road as it traveled from Whistler Olympic Park to the town of Whistler. From the moment I arrived at my designated meeting place and met the group of torchbearers with whom I would be sharing a shuttle, we were all made to feel an important part of this journey. We introduced ourselves, learned how to hold the torch and pass the flame, and shared our individual stories of how we came to be here. Everyone’s story was inspirational and touching. We even had a former Olympian in our group. We took lots of photos, saw video footage from other days and were given some last-minute words of inspiration as we traveled to each person’s spot along the road.
The Torch had travelled 99 days to where we were at that moment. Officially a symbol of peace, harmony and goodwill, to me, it also represents the determination and spirit of Olympic athletes, and the pure magic of the Olympic Games. This particular 106-day relay is also a uniquely Canadian experience, and once it arrives in Vancouver on Friday, the flame will have been within a one-hour’s drive of 90% of the population, and have passed through over 1,000 communities.
My actual time with the flame was brief, but exhilarating. It was an honour to be part of this flame’s journey and humbling to represent Canada and our athletes. A strong contingent of Whistler friends joined my family in cheering me on and made the experience even more personal. The shuttle bus ride back to my family meeting place was a let-down, as I knew it would be, but that feeling was soon replaced by the happy sounds of my young boys. We headed to Whistler where we saw the cauldron being lit, and there we enjoyed live music, fireworks and an incredibly upbeat, proud atmosphere, fitting of a small town about to make its Olympic debut. Having grown up skiing at Whistler and even spent a couple of years living and working in the town, I could not help feeling extremely lucky to have carried the torch here.
As the torch now makes its final journey through Vancouver today and tomorrow, get out and cheer it on—it will renew your Olympic spirit.
Michelle, thank you so much for sharing. This opportunity of a lifetime couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person!
WOW! your smile said it all! congrats on the opportunity to experience it and what it must have been like to have your family right there!!
I’ve been reading all of the amazing stories and inspirational words from the parents of the McDonald’s® Olympic Hopefuls Program. It makes me so proud of our Canadian athletes and their parents now that the Games that they have been working and training for their whole lives are starting. It also strikes me that the lessons learned from these families are not specific to elite athletes. The messages are all consistent, with love and support being the common thread throughout. What else would give these kids the confidence they need to be so successful?
As a mom of two tween boys who are active in just about every sport out there, I can appreciate the challenges that Alex Despatie’s mom, Christiane, writes regarding scheduling and logistics taking over the family routine. Driving to, and from, practices and games while trying to fit in a healthy meal (fit for an elite athlete) is no easy feat!
Having said that, there is still always time for a family game of Scrabble by the fireplace as long as you make it a priority. That’s why I was heartened to read that the Dionne family do that as well. The busier and more hectic life gets, the greater the need to regroup as a family. That gives kids (whether they are athletes or not) the rest and the grounding they need.
Another one of my favourite posts was written by Janny and Joan Arendz, parents of Paraympian, Mark. They speak of how Mark inspires them and everyone around him every day. His determination, but most of all his bravery, is what inspires them as parents to be better people. This is seriously good reading for any parent.
Look for upcoming posts from Manon Goulet, speed skater Charles Hamelin’s mom, who will be sending us posts live from the Games.
So we have common themes of support: eating healthy meals, lots of sacrifice and spending time together. What struck me the most is that these families all really like each other. They are bonded with the same stuff that connects most families but their bonds run deeper because they share the same goals. Perhaps that is what keeps them so close.
I know I have learned a great deal from these remarkable families, especially the part about having common goals that everyone works toward. They might not be Olympic ones, but they are yours and the whole team can work together to reach them.
What are your family goals for this year? I would love to hear them.
I have Olympic Fever. I admit it. Whether it is the Canadian spirit that I have never previously witnessed on such a mass scale, the amazing feeling of the party-like atmosphere on our streets or watching an athletic event with spectators from around the world, all showing their team colours and national pride as they cheer their athletes on—these games have truly captured me.
At Thunderbird Stadium, the Swiss were capped in Swiss flags and ringing cow bells to cheer their women’s hockey team on as they took on Team Canada. The Richmond Oval was a sea of orange (and no matter if the fans were young or old, the orange attire was wild!) as the Dutch dominated the cheering during the women’s 500m Long Track. Of course, the Koreans, Japanese, Germans and Chinese fans also came in groups to the Oval, waving flags and cheering loudly, and it was this incredible cultural mix that made the event so much fun.
The Victory Ceremonies last week were also colourful. Among medal presentations for Canadians Christine Nesbitt and Marianne St Gelais and Americans Shani Davis and Shawn White, the Norwegians won Gold in men’s 20km and women’s 15km Biathlon in Whistler, and while their medals were announced, Norwegian flags were everywhere.
Canada Hockey Place was equally divided during Czechs vs Latvians men’s hockey game. There were not just flags and shirts to show support, but full body (and face) paint in red, white and blue or burgundy and white. Latvian fans cheered “Ja, Ja, Latvijia” loudly. The Czechs, victorious, matched the cheering, which spilled onto the streets after the game. Women’s semi-finals hockey between the USA and Sweden was the same: the rink was divided between the distinctive yellow and blue Swedish colours and the red, white and blue stars and stripes.
Whether they live there currently or just have roots in these countries, everyone is proudly supporting the world’s best and creating an international flavour that this city has rarely seen. It is an amazing, fun and light-hearted introduction to international culture for our kids. You are sure to see fans from countries such as Finland, Belarus and Russia and many more proudly wearing and waving colours of the world’s flags throughout the city.
Before the Olympics started, I was really unsure how much of the Games I was going to be able to enjoy with two 3-year old boys—crowds, security, and expensive tickets had me convinced I would spend most of my time cheering from the couch. But my experience could not have been more different. With the help of great weather, lots of fun, free activities, and a few last-minute ticket purchases (all at face value!), my family has truly enjoyed all aspects of the Games. I have never seen so much energy in this city (and I was born here), and am excited to see the impact it has had on my kids as well.
For our family, the Olympics started with the Torch Relay and will continue through the Paralympic Games (Canadian Mens’ Sledge Hockey is the only ticketed event the boys are going to), but sadly, the electric feeling in the downtown core will most likely disappear after this weekend, as most of the pavilions will move to Whistler for the Paralympics.
We are left with great memories of days spent walking through the city, playing outdoor hockey, watching the boys’ beloved Mascots skate, and taking in all there is to see. We are also left with great stories from Canada’s top athletes to-date. And while all of their achievements are remarkable, I was most struck by Alexandre Bilodeau and his story of inspiration from his brother, by Clara Hughes, with her incredible athletic dedication and achievement, and by Joannie Rochette, and her heart-wrenching display of inner-strength. I am sure this coming weekend will bring more amazing stories from our athletes. In a symbolic gesture, they change the colour of the Olympic Rings (from blue to gold) when Canada wins gold, as our Women’s Hockey Team did last night!
We are also left with a legacy, and not just the buildings and infrastructure left behind, but of inspiration and education for our kids. I cannot go to the park now without the boys wanting to ‘bobsled’ down the slide, and they tell me daily that they want to play hockey and go skiing and snowboarding. My boys now know what Canada is, what the Olympics are, and they can sing O Canada as well as I can. I took my Olympic Torch into their preschool class this week and was amazed by the excitement and understanding of the Torch and its symbolism.
So, as we head into the final weekend, be sure to get out and enjoy as much of it as you can with your kids and cheer loudly, too—we still have some big events left on the schedule! Go Canada, Go!
There is a new symbol floating in Vancouver’s harbour right now representing the Paralympics. It is red, blue and green and represents the most widely used flag colours from around the world. It is a symbol that is in motion, circling around a centre point and complementing the Paralympic Motto “Spirit in Motion”. The Paralympics are well underway now, and so far, this event is proving to be just as exciting as the Olympics.
I had the opportunity this past weekend to take in the two Paralympic events in Vancouver: Sledge Hockey and Wheelchair Curling (Alpine and Cross-country Skiing, and Biathlon are in Whistler). Having never attended a Paralympic event, I really did not know what to expect, and although I knew the physical challenges these athletes faced, I really did not understand the magnitude of how incredible their accomplishments are.
Sledge Hockey is a full-contact hockey game played on a sled. Just sitting on a small sled that rests on skate blades requires an amazing sense of balance. Then add in the ability to flip back up after falling over (happens frequently) and the ability to propel yourself down the ice with sheer upper-body strength (ice picks at the top end of two short hockey sticks give the players all of their momentum) and no gliding benefit that you get from skates, and you realize that these athletes are truly fit. The game I saw was Canada vs. Italy and it was a fast-moving and incredibly physical hockey game. My whole family went (including five kids aged 3 through 7) and we all had an amazing time, especially since Canada won (Steven Harper was there too, sitting only a few rows away).
Wheelchair curling was another eye-opener for me. These athletes do not have the benefit of a sweep to direct (or re-direct) their rock, so they have to be extremely accurate in their throw. They have the option of using a delivery stick that attaches to the top of the rock (everyone we watched used it), and in order to keep their chairs stationary, they put their brakes on and have a second team member hold their chair from behind. With no sweep, they also have to throw a little harder to get the distance. It was an incredibly exciting event, and in the final end of the Canada vs. Norway match that I watched, Canada came from behind to win the game with their final rock. I was on the edge of my seat!
As an added benefit, the kids were very impressed with their ‘hockey on a sled’ experience, and in fact have asked if they can play it at home, too. They do not yet really understand the adversity these individuals face in their daily life, nor the phenomenal will they have to compete at this level, but they will come to understand this in time. And hopefully by learning from a young age to respect the amazing accomplishments of these athletes, there will be no sigma associated with their disabilities—only an appreciation for their abilities.
Sadly, for us in Vancouver, we are entering the very last weekend of the Vancouver 2010 games, so make sure you tune into some of the action. Paralympic accomplishment is truly an inspiration.
Comments
I think that keeping Canadians informed of the stories and progress of the torch relay will simply enhance toe olympic experience. With everyone looking to the internet for updates having a torch relay reporter available for continuous news is almost a necessity to maintian momentum along the way. It gets my heart going each time I hear reports about the olympics, so exciting.