Last night Daniel and I both got the chance to meet and speak with the family of Canadian short track speed skater, Guillaume Bastille: parents Louis-Marie and Denise and sisters Andreanne and Veronique. The Quebecois family initially said they would leave much of the conversation up to their daughter Andreanne, who was introduced to us as the most bilingual member of the family; however, the Bastille family is actually quite proficient in English and we were delighted to be able to speak with all of them.
Family Supporting Sports
The Bastille are all around sports fans as well as participants and caring spectators. Guillaume raced yesterday and will race again once more these Vancouver Winter Olympics. Until then the Bastille family hope to make the most out of their time here by meeting and getting to know other Olympic families and even attending some other events beyond speed skating (such as Canada`s Men`s Hockey opening game versus Norway).
Guillaume’s parents actually met in a volleyball tournament in the CEGEP system in Quebec; his father Louis-Marie went up to Denise, a referee during his game, and asked her out on a date. They are both teachers; his father a Phys Ed teacher. And they have both promoted sports. The entire family spoke fondly of broomball for instance when we sat around and discussed various sports.
Both Louis-Marie and Denise are very proud and truly make the journey with their son as he goes through every step of his competition. For example, on any competition day where Guillaume races, his father Louis-Marie said that he cannot eat until after the competition is over. His mother Denise is happy to be able to meet other families feeling the same range of emotions, and enjoys having other people to talk to and relate experiences.
His younger sister Andreanne plays volleyball herself right now as well as some broomball. And she had the opportunity to carry the torch through their small town of Riviere-du-Loup and then hand the torch over to her brother Guillaume. Andreanne beamed as she described the truly amazing moment, one that felt very special since she doesn't have the chance to see her brother as much lately.
All You Need is Love
Andreanne talks about the Games and her experiences so far with a big smile on her face. The spirit of the 2010 Winter Games brings out the best in everyone she says, and noted that she was surprised to see how friendly and helpful everyone in Vancouver has been so far. She told us of how incredible it has been to be at the Olympic Winter Games, let alone be at the Games to watch her brother compete.
Andreanne spoke of the Games with much fondness and enjoyed telling the story of watching Canada win their first “home grown” gold medal on Sunday night. She and her family were watching with other families of Canadian athletes in a hospitality suite. The entire room was dead silent until the last score came in from the final competitor, but then the room just erupted as the champagne was brought out for the celebration.
To One and All
Andreanne said it was amazing, that feeling when Canada struck gold for the first time on home soil with Alexandre Bilodeau. But she especially enjoys the fact that everyone is here cheering not only for their own family members, but for all Canadian athletes. There is a lot of support among the families of Canadian Olympic athletes. They were all so happy and proud to see a Canadian win gold - every family present.
The Bastille Family is thankful to Petro-Canada for flying them out and really very grateful that the Games have been hosted here in Vancouver this year. This is the furthest they have travelled so far to watch Guillaume in competition and would be hard pressed to have brought out family members like his sisters were it not so close. They are really enjoying their time here, appear very happy and look forward to making the most of their time in Vancouver.
Cheers to the Bastille family for taking the time to talk with us and for being a great Canadian Olympic athlete family showing tremendous support for Guillaume as he competes!
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