Canadian Athlete Family Program

So long, thanks for the ... well, everything! (the fish was good too!)

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):

Dan talks with dancer Meghan Lessard and award winning lecturer, University Professor Dr. Stephen Hill

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!

The Olympic Experience: In, Around and Over Canada

We've been fortunate enough just to have attended the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, however being able to get a feel for the pulse of the nation in different regions throughout these Winter Olympics has made this adventure much more unique.

From catching events live in Vancouver, to the bars on Granville Street, to back here in Toronto and even 30,000 feet in the air, it's been a lesson in the sporting culture of Canada delivered. And both Dan and myself have appreciated every moment along the way.

In Vancouver

The events themselves were lively, no question about it; a lot of fun, supportive, and rowdy. Certainly all the talk about the atmosphere at Curling matches is true, and that's coming from someone who didn't even get to witness the home team curl either. It was just that good!

The spectators delivered an atmosphere of camaraderie as well as every competitor was cheered as they crossed the finish line, placed one on the button or scored a goal (well, in hockey obviously Canada became the focal point when they were playing but from watching the other games the crowd supported those teams well).

Outside of the venues watching the games on Granville Street, at Irish Bar and other locations around the area, the crowd was very loud and excited. It really created a unifying moment. Screens were put up everywhere and eyes glued to them, never wavering.

In the sky

On the way home our flight actually left at the time of puck drop for the Canada-US round robin game. You know it's Canada when I didn't even have to ask if the game would be shown on the flight since at least three people in front of me had already posed the question.

Watching on the mini-televisions on the back of the seats in front of us every time Canada scored hands would fire up in the air and a cheer would resound through the plane. The cheers were a little more subdued, we were flying in an airplane afterall, but based on the laughing reactions from the flight attendants every time the silence of the flight was broken by an outburst I'm sure it was loud enough.

Lounging with Lorraine Lamoureux

We were fortunate to have a quick chat with Lorraine Lamoureux, the mother of Canadian snowboarder Justin Lamoureux. Justin competed in the Men's Snowboarding Half Pipe this year, finishing seventh overall.  Both Lorraine and Justin were very happy with the seventh place result. Justin had actually competed in the previous Winter Olympics in Torino but failed to make it past the qualification round. According to Lorraine he was very thrilled with how he finished this time around.

It's been a great road to success for Justin, who decided upon the completion of university that he wanted to go into competitive snowboarding. Lorraine was pretty honest with her feelings at that time, laughing that her initial response to Justin was something along the lines of, "Are you mad??"

 

Justin has competed ever since university though, referring to his snowboarding as 'going to work'. And clearly it has paid off with great success over the past eight years, making the Canadian roster for the last two Winter Olympic Games. And he comes to Vancouver very composed, calm and relaxed - just not that worried about the pressures of the 2010 Winter Games being hosted here in Canada.  

Lorraine is very appreciative of everything done for the Canadian Olympic families at the 2010 Winter Games. When she made the trip to Torino, there were not nearly as many options for the Canadian families to get together. Canada House was around, but nothing like the this year, including a hotel for the Canadian families, transportation and, most importantly, the ability to meet a lot of the families of Justin's friends.

Lorraine is very happy with her son's result, the setup in Vancouver and appears to have really had a great time overall with her Olympic experience. Whether Justin continues on with competitive snowboarding or moves on to other avenues, Canadians are proud of his accomplishment this year and wish him nothing but the best. Many thanks to Lorraine and the Lamoureuxs for the chat! Hopefully the rest of your time in Vancouver went just as well.

Photo Credit: ctvolympics.ca

Breakfast with the Chans

We recently had breakfast with a great Canadian sporting family, Lewis and Karen Chan, parents of Canadian figure skater Patrick Chan. As we sat and talked, we had a great discussion with a very knowledgeable, friendly and supportive Olympic family.

All In The Family

It shouldn't be a surprise that Patrick has had the kind of success that he's experienced when you talk to his parents and learn about their sporting lineage. His father Lewis, who grew up in Montreal, played table tennis competitively at a high level, winning the Junior Championship in Quebec and representing that province on the national stage. After retiring from Table Tennis, Lewis moved on to new pursuits such as weight lifting, tennis and skiing.

Patrick's mother, Karen, has her own strong sporting background. Karen won the city championship in both Singles and Mixed-Doubles Tennis when she was younger. While telling us about her tennis background, she corrected Lewis when he mistakenly said 'doubles' as he was describing her sports experience.

One of the greatest parts of this Family Correspondent experience has been finding the fire, passion and inner desire that pushes Olympic athletes to the heights of greatness. We often find that drive and passion in their family members to as well. This was the case with Lewis and Karen.  In general, the Chans are not easily fazed and remain very relaxed when watching and speaking about their son. But when Karen corrected her husband it was one of those moments - getting the details about her sport correct - that offered a brief glimpse that helps to tell more of Patrick's story.

 

A True Competitor

Patrick Chan is well known as a figure skater, but I was very impressed with his overall sports background. His parents were actually surprised that he ended up in figure skating since he excelled in downhill skiing at the early age of 5. However, once the family moved from Ottawa to Toronto and the distance to quality ski destinations became quite far, Patrick's skiing took a backseat to other sporting interests.

Patrick Chan was apparently discovered in Canada after a competition in the United States when Patrick was mentioned on a US Skating website. Skate Canada began to pay more attention to him and that has clearly resulted in a fruitful partnership. 

His parents marvelled at how much knowledge Patrick has of many sports, not just his own. Patrick just ingests sports and sporting knowledge, according to his mother. And he always tries whatever sport is put in front of him: from rock climbing on a trip to BC with fellow Olympian Jennifer Heil to playing tackle football with school friends.

The Bastille Family: Guillaume's Olympic Support System

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!

A Golden Moment

My brother Daniel and I got in to Irish House on Sunday, a venue that is a great destination to celebrate and watch the Vancouver Winter Olympics here in the city. Yesterday this felt like one of the best places to be; but then again anywhere people were watching the Men’s Moguls – and watching history unfold - was a great location!

Eyes were glued to one of the near dozen screens around the Irish House as well as on a projector displaying the action on a wall in a very large format.

As Alexander Bilodeau’s run came to an end the crowd broke out into widespread cheers, even before the results were announced. After those results were, it was an explosion. There was still one competitor left but the crowd felt good, felt happy and felt ready and prepared for what seemed inevitable - not to mention long overdue. 

After Bilodeau’s score held the mark an eruption, and one generally reserved for stadiums or arenas that hold thousands, not a tent set up for the Olympics holding hundreds, was heard. And at that moment it was just as glamorous as any win in any of those big impressive venues, if not more so. The crowd was united and excited in celebration and the party had just begun.

You can get a sense of the excitement from this brief video by remeer as Irish House waited to see if Bilodeau won the gold:

No matter where Canadians watched their nation win its first gold on home soil it had to be an amazing moment not soon forgotten, and that setting one that will live on with proud memories. For Dan and I it was Irish House in Vancouver, and it was a great time. What are your memories of Alexander Bilodeau’s Gold on this past Sunday evening?

To Each and Every Canadian Athlete, We Salute You!

When most Canadians think about going to the 2010 Winter Games, they would imagine watching the Men’s Hockey team winning the gold medal. A poll was recently conducted asking Canadians what the most memorable winter Olympic moment was, and the Men’s hockey team winning gold in Salt Lake City was #1.
Speaking with friends about our trip, the excitement generated after we say that we are going to a Men’s Hockey game is incredible. I have even been told that seeing Team Canada play is the most patriotic thing a Canadian can do.

While I agree that hockey is a very large part of Canadian culture, the many athletes who compete at a world class level in the many other winter sports are usually overshadowed because of this. Now is the time, every four years that these other athletes that have trained and pushed themselves to their limits to become the best in the world can get the recognition they deserve.

The 2010 Winter Games is the chance for these athletes who don’t get big salaries or big promotions to get the recognition they deserve.

Looking at it through the media’s eye you will always see hockey commercials on T.V., whether it is a Winter Games year or not. Hockey is just such a big deal in Canada that Canadian heroes such as Wayne Gretzky can always capture our nation’s heart (he did light the Olympic Caldron in Vancouver for a reason!).

However, now that the 2010 Winter Games have come around, we are seeing downhill skiing, bobsled and curling commercials, just to name a few. It is this acknowledgement that makes the Games so important to athletes of all types because no matter what sport they are a part of, they know their country is watching and cheering.

With the Games taking place in Canada, the Olympic effect is having a much bigger influence this time around. The athletes know that their entire nation is backing them as they go for gold on home soil. And quite simply put, that’s great to see!

The Gregg Olympic Family pt. 2

In Part 1 of our interview with the Gregg Family, we heard about the family's start in speed skating. Read on for more about the Gregg's Olympic experience.

AMAZING EXPERIENCE

Kathy had many fond memories of her Olympic experiences but the one that seems to stand out the most was the opening ceremonies at Lake Placid. Kathy had to miss her first Opening Ceremonies in Innisbruck since she was racing the very next day, but spoke fondly of the great reception that the Canadians received in 1980 when they entered the stadium.

She's excited for both her children being able to experience the Opening Ceremonies at home, which should be an amazing experience!

Kathy also enjoyed Athlete's Village, at Innsbruck her event was finished on the second day and she recalled hanging around the Village for the next 14 days. This year Jamie's event will finish early on as well, on the third day of competition. Jessica however has a list of events she'll be participating in that will keep her busy for a while!

MORE SUPPORTING THAN RIVALS

With such an athletic troupe you would expect the Gregg siblings to constantly be pushing themselves however as it turns out both Jamie and Jessica have always been very supportive of each other.

"If there's any sibling rivalry it's between Jessica and Sarah, since they're both girls", says Kathy. However since Sarah grew up racing in a younger circuit the intensity level was not as high as it could have been.

When asked if Sarah might feel any pressure watching her big sister compete for Team Canada Kathy playing said, "Probably a little, the baby always tries to keep up." Kathy said that Sarah is working against a tough group of peers in the Canadian Women's speed skating team, so the fact that her siblings have made it will most likely put some added pressure on her to live up to. But so far Sarah has been successful in her own rite.

The Gregg Olympic Family

Every Olympic family supports their Olympians with all their hearts. They cheer from the stands at the top of their lungs and provide the love and support to propel their athletes onwards to victory.

Every family does this, provides the support of champions for Olympic champions. But some understand the experience a little more than others.

There really is no better way to describe the family of Canadian speed skaters Jamie and Jessica Gregg then by calling them products of the Gregg Olympic Family.

OLYMPIC LEGACY

Both Dan and I interviewed their mother Kathy, a two time Olympic Speed Skater in both short and long track speed skating. She competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics at Innsbruck, Austria and the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, USA.

Their father Randy is also a two time former Olympian who also took part in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics as well as the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics for Team Canada hockey. Randy also played with the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL.

So it may not be a surprise when, asking mother Kathy how Jamie and Jessica picked up speed skating as an interest, she jokingly replied that, "They didn't really have a choice!" Jamie, 23, and Jessica, 20, both followed in their mother footsteps to the speed skating ovals and eventually adopted the sport as their own.

And on top of the tremendous success of both Jamie and Jessica their younger sister Sarah, 19, is another emerging force on the speed skating circuit, and a face to watch for future Winter Olympics to come. There is one Gregg family member, Ryan, who decided to play baseball instead although he also got a chance to try on the skates when he was younger as well.  Ryan apparently preferred the summer sports instead.

Curling for Canada

As much as Canadians declare hockey a big part of our culture there is another ice based sport we’re always ready and willing to call our own: curling.

The sport was not created in Canada, the credit actually belongs to Scotland. However it does owe a great deal to Canada for falling in love with the game and taking it to a higher level over time. 

Canada’s Game?

Doug Clark’s book The Roaring Game: A Sweeping Saga of Curling outlines our nation’s role in the development of curling. That novel really is the quintessential read for any fan of the game. Not only is it endorsed by many of the top curlers but if you are lucky you may learn, just as I did, that your small hometown was a key factor in the sports evolution.

However, despite their rich history, Canada’s medals in the Olympic Games since the sport's reintroduction at Nagano in 1998 have not always been golden; both the men and women have only won a single gold medal a piece. 

It’s clear a win is no longer a given on the international stage, not like the past. Even though Canada claims the top spot in the world for our Curling Federation there are many other countries that have closed the gap after adopting the game themselves.

The Women’s Draw

For the Women Cheryl Bernard will represent Canada in her first Winter Olympic Games. While Bernard may not be recognized as easily as other female curlers she is still primed and ready to take on the stiff competition mounting at Vancouver 2010.