March 26, 2010

I realize that it has been a while since I wrote last. Incredible how fast the time has gone. I have had weeks of fun filled adventures including carrying the Paralympic torch, opening ceremonies, sledge hockey games, dinner with Prince Edward (our second date), a weekend in Whistler and being the last person to Zipline over Robson square! Check out some photos in the gallery.

In all the excitement and travel I may have forgotten my passport at home on my way to Florida for training camp. After several hours stuck in customs, I missed my flight and had to stay the night in Vancouver. I was so lucky that my friends son was getting on a plane to Kelowna that stopped in Vancouver so that he could bring me my passport so I was only held up a day. What an ordeal. I know I will never ever forget my passport again!

Arriving to camp I have to say I was a tad exhausted but no rest for the wicked. We train twice a day with one on one sessions in the afternoon and seminars in the evenings after dinner. I thought I would catch up on some sleep here but it appears I was mistaken.

We are staying in a great location with access to track, trail and gym facilities. We have 31 athletes here with a team of support including coaches, physio/athletic trainers, nutritionists, biomechanics. We’re training at the National Sport Institute in Orlando where Tyson Gay and several other elite athletes from around the world train throughout the winter season. Saturday morning we will have an inter-squad competition.

February 26, 2010

So I got to take a break from being glued to my TV to head over to the mainland to see the Canadian women play hockey in the Gold medal game against USA. As a guest of Premier Gordon Campbell I cheered louder than I thought I could with Olympic icon Silken Laumann and her son Will, Veronika Bauer (freestyle aerialist) and Peter the husband of Clara Hughes (Clara could not make it as the aftermath of winning an Olympic medal is a media frenzy!)

I felt so proud when the final buzzer went and the girls took to the ice in celebration that I live in a country that offers so many opportunities for women in sport. Back in my childhood years there was no hockey for girls (I played ringette) and now little girls across Canada are inspired watching and wanting to be the next Hayley Wickenheiser or Cassie Campbell. I am so thrilled that these young girls have found a passion for the sport and that the Olympics gives them a place to shine.

Not sure it was a highlight of the night but it was memorable as in the excitement of the women winning Kai was frantically waving his cow bell when the handle came loose from the bell and it went sailing clear across the room and hit Silken's son Will square in the nose. Silence. Wait for the response. Tears filled his eyes from the undeniable pain and the blood starts to flow. After a short recovery period the boys are back at a fierce game of tag.

On our way out of the arena headed to the Terminal City Club for a reception hosted by the Young Presidents' Organization with Premier Campbell we run into none other than the mayor of Missasagua Ontario Hazel McCallion. At the age of 89 she is the longest standing and perhaps most well known mayor in Canada. Google her and you will see the amazing things this "hurricane" has done in her life!

Off to the Terminal City Club where silver medalist Mike Robertson and oodles of other Olympic athletes are mingling with some of the Olympic supporters! These games have brought on some amazing firsts for Canada including the cross country skiers making history with 4 of them in the top 20! There have been a multitude of priceless moments with still more to come in the next 2 days before we extinguish the flame.

All these social gatherings are exhausting and I am thinking I should hit the sack so I can rest up before the next fabulous outing. ~Mikey