Of course every athlete wants their support system there when they cross the finish line in Vancouver!
In recent Canadian Press article For athletes' families, getting to the Games almost its own Olympic event, a group of athletes and their families share their challenges in getting their biggest fans to the Games.
The piece includes quotes from some of the athletes and families that we've been working with over the past few months, including skeleton racer Mellisa Hollingsworth, biathlete Megan Imrie, lugers Mike and Chris Moffat, and hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser.
Here's a snippet from the article:
...for the first Winter Games in Canada in two decades, the families of Canadian athletes say not being at the Games isn't an option.
They're doing whatever it takes to make it there.
Corporate sponsors have stepped up to help. Petro-Canada and Jet Set Sports are running a program that gives each athlete's family two tickets to their child's event, plus four nights accommodation and transportation to the venues.
For Moffats' father Ed, having the program takes the weight off his shoulders.
"(Whistler) village itself its packed, it's crowded, hard to find a place to eat and it's expensive," said Moffat.
"With the (Petro-Canada) program you know you are going to have a room, a place to stay, get there and back and those are the big things you worry about. All I have to worry about now is making sure the kids know I'm here for them and that's the support they need."
Even with the Family Program's help, getting an athlete's larger support network of family and friends to the Games can require some creative problem solving! Check out the full article for what the athletes and their families are doing to make sure their cheering section is full.
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