I can't keep it together. My heart is too full of humbling inspiration. Those who know me well, know that I live for the Winter Olympics. I have friends who have, and are, competing in these games but my love affair started long before that. Athletics has always been the thing that makes my heart sing. I have always found that great personal strength comes from being part of a team working towards a common goal, it also comes from the lonely nights on the ice, the long cold days on the slopes, solo paddles on a lake. Hard work, perseverance, doing more than was expected of you. Humility, victorious joy, deep and persistent national pride.
The 2010 Olympics lit my heart on fire. Having been an athlete in many of the sports I watched on TV I felt a common bond with the heart ache and exuberant celebrations I saw. I was glued to any coverage I could get my hands on. Every story, every win, every fall or slip, every measure of 10ths of a second that separated the winners from those who almost won. I, like I imagine so many Canadians, remember exactly where I was when our hockey players won their golds. I remember the first gold won on Canadian soil. I remember Jon Montgomery and his pitcher of beer. I felt so Canadian. I felt so much a part of something bigger than myself. Even now, as I patiently wait for the opening ceremonies to start I tear up (read: full on sob) at the images of Olympics past. Those images are imprinted deeply on my mind.
Sochi is different. I get that. I am disgusted at the treatment of people by those in charge and those who follow their lead. People in general because I believe it is so much more than the issues getting face time on TV. Discrimination and mistreatment is degrading to everyone and I hope, in not too many years, that the world will look back with disgust and disbelief on the behaviour of those who clearly have so much time on their hands and so little creativity that they have to take it out on who ever they possibly can. They aren't fooling the rest of us. That being said, I am electric with anticipation for the stories of redemption, victory and underdogs winning gold. I can't wait for the sport.
My passion for the Olympics started when I watched Eddie the Eagle fly above Calgary, when I met the Jamaican bobsled team, when I took my first ski run that winter. Not a bad place to start. Now it's more. Though SO much of it is political at the end of the day it is a wonderful reason to see good in the world. To see those who set the example of dedication, of spirit and who represent their countries with something greater than pride. They are teammates and let us be part of the team as well. Perhaps I am biased but I believe that sport is a great unifier and the Olympics bring something special.
I guess all that is left to do is get the Kleenex box and Canada gear out and get ready to cheer for the red and while!
The 2010 Olympics lit my heart on fire. Having been an athlete in many of the sports I watched on TV I felt a common bond with the heart ache and exuberant celebrations I saw. I was glued to any coverage I could get my hands on. Every story, every win, every fall or slip, every measure of 10ths of a second that separated the winners from those who almost won. I, like I imagine so many Canadians, remember exactly where I was when our hockey players won their golds. I remember the first gold won on Canadian soil. I remember Jon Montgomery and his pitcher of beer. I felt so Canadian. I felt so much a part of something bigger than myself. Even now, as I patiently wait for the opening ceremonies to start I tear up (read: full on sob) at the images of Olympics past. Those images are imprinted deeply on my mind.
Sochi is different. I get that. I am disgusted at the treatment of people by those in charge and those who follow their lead. People in general because I believe it is so much more than the issues getting face time on TV. Discrimination and mistreatment is degrading to everyone and I hope, in not too many years, that the world will look back with disgust and disbelief on the behaviour of those who clearly have so much time on their hands and so little creativity that they have to take it out on who ever they possibly can. They aren't fooling the rest of us. That being said, I am electric with anticipation for the stories of redemption, victory and underdogs winning gold. I can't wait for the sport.
My passion for the Olympics started when I watched Eddie the Eagle fly above Calgary, when I met the Jamaican bobsled team, when I took my first ski run that winter. Not a bad place to start. Now it's more. Though SO much of it is political at the end of the day it is a wonderful reason to see good in the world. To see those who set the example of dedication, of spirit and who represent their countries with something greater than pride. They are teammates and let us be part of the team as well. Perhaps I am biased but I believe that sport is a great unifier and the Olympics bring something special.
I guess all that is left to do is get the Kleenex box and Canada gear out and get ready to cheer for the red and while!
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