Well this is hard...I mean I knew it was coming, but did not relish the moment it would arrive.
Now that the time has come, the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics officially closed, and the nearly 24 hour coverage of Olympic events no longer on television, I won't lie it does feel like there is this void that needs to be filled (and not just in my daily television schedule). But at the same time there's also a feeling of joy that we were able to witness something like this right here at home in Canada.
The chance to be at the Olympic Games was phenomenal, the opportunity to get further insight into our athletes was the icing on the cake. And even as these Olympic Games come to a close, as sad as it is to see them go there's nothing but great feelings and memories left behind.
Meeting the families of Olympians? Wow! Could not have asked for anything better, that was quite the way to take in one's first trip to the Olympic Games. Now we didn't have an opportunity to really talk to the athletes themselves though, so Dan and I actually went around and asked some artists: TV personalities, music groups, dancers and an award winning professor, what it's like to perform in front of your friends, family and the nation as a whole. You can find the videos we put together here (thanks to Make Your Exit for providing the soundtrack for the videos):
Mike talks with TV/Radio host Josie Dye and an indie rock group Make Your Exit
What were we able to take away from the Vancouver Winter Olympics? Well a lot of it had to do with our own national identity. No longer too polite or too quiet to make a big fuss, Canada let its voice be heard! Canadians have always known we've had this fire inside us though, even if the world has just caught on now. While still kind and courteous we are also a proud, passionate and supportive bunch as well. And we always have and always will cheer on our own, regardless, and with all our hearts.
Apparently it took one great big party to let everyone else in on our secret identity, that side we may have hidden away for a little while (a result of our politeness no doubt).
And wow, what a party it was! Vancouver not only set the tone but raised the bar with an electric atmosphere each and every night, putting the rest of Canada on notice. It was warm, welcoming and always a lot of fun!
But from Granville-Robson in Vancouver to Yonge-Dundas to Toronto, and many other great intersections, squares, plazas and parks across the country, all Canadians helped to take that great atmosphere from coast to coast on the final night. Turning out en mass Canada celebrated not only a Men's Hockey Gold in a game that is already legendary, but the most successful Winter Olympic Games ever for our country.
It's hard not to feel an enormous amount of pride for every single athlete that donned the Maple Leaf in competition this year. They all represented us so well, excellent work guys!
Thank you Team Canada, from a fan cheering from the stands. I know speaking for both my brother and I you made it a lot of fun to cheer. Thanks to the families for meeting up with us, talking to us about your competing family members and letting us into your Olympic vacation, if only for a few minutes. It's been great insight into our greatest athletes. And while on the subject thanks for doing such a great job raising them, we all definitely appreciate it!
Thank you Petro-Canada for sending Olympic Family members to Vancouver to watch their loved ones compete, all the families we spoke with were gracious for the opportunity. Likewise thanks for sending us along to tell their stories to the rest of the nation.
And last but not least thank you to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics in general, for reminding us not only that it's alright to cheer out loud but also just how great our athletes truly are. It's definitely been a blast. Cheers!
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