Canadian Pride

The global identity of Canadians is that we are easy to get along with and that we fit in and assimilate well with other cultures.  The downside to this is that we sometimes do not express enough pride about who we are and what we stand for.

Well, that was not the case last night at the Opening Ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games.  Canadian pride was on full display and many things that characterize Canada were imbedded in the program, mountains, aboriginals, music, icons, etc.  It was an evening that often times put a lump in one's throat.  

I was proud to be a Canadian.  I hope we will feel this way many times over the next two weeks.

Here are a few more photos from last night, courtesy of Sarah Stewart, a budding photographer, who attended the Ceremony.

The Canadian team marching at the parade of nations.

The Olympic flame lit by great Canadians, Rick Hansen, Catriona Lemay Doan, Steve Nash, Nancy Greene Raine and Wayne Gretzky.

Young Canadian Singer is a Hit at the Opening Ceremonies

It is midway through the Opening Ceremonies.  Did you hear Nikki Yanofsky belt out our National Anthem?  Unbelievable.  Just turned 16 years old this past week.

To hear her #1 hit, "I Believe", which is about generating pride for Canadians during these Games, click on the title of this post.  It will take you to a great video on YouTube.

From my perspective, she is the first Canadian Gold Medallist of the Games.

It's Here! Today, the Games Open!

Well, it is 3 am and I am working the graveyard shift in the Village.  It just dawned on me.  Today is the day that the Games open.

It has been seven years since Vancouver was awarded the Games and a lot of work has been invested since then.  For those who have worked for years on this, I am sure it is almost surreal to think the Games are actually here.

My guess is that it will be so busy that the next two weeks will go by quickly.  Hang on!

The Mens Downhill, one of the glamour races, goes tomorrow, on Saturday morning.

Also, I'm watching a news report about athletes who have tested positive for banned substances....in pre-Olympic testing.  How disappointing would that be - to actually be in Vancouver and then get disqualified.

In a similar vein, one of the American alpine skiers was injured in a training run today.  More devastating, Lindsay Vonn, the favourite for a number of alpine events, revealed that she has a deep bone bruise and that the pain is excrutiating.

Don't miss the Opening Ceremonies.  7 pm eastern or 4 pm pacific.

One Day to go!!!

The Village is getting full.  The Uniform and Accreditation Centre was really busy yesterday and the Opening Ceremonies had their final dress rehearsal yesterday.  The mens' downhill, which goes on Saturday morning, had their first training run yesterday.  These are all signs there is only one day to go, before the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics open and the fun begins.

Before it all starts tomorrow, I would like to thank Rob Stewart (right) for his help and support so I could have this opportunity to experience the Vancouver Olympic Games.  As I mentioned before, Rob and I have been friends since our MBA at Ivey, back in 1987.  Rob, Kathy and their children, Sarah and Ben have been generous with their home, allowing me to stay and making me feel welcome for this Olympic sojourn.

Vancouver is excited.  The final day of the torch relay is today.  It will traverse Burnaby into downtown Vancouver and will finish at Yaletown, adjacent to BC Place Stadium, where the Opening Ceremonies will take place tomorrow.  Make sure you watch the Ceremonies....you will not be disappointed.  There will be a lump in your throat, as a proud Canadian.

Further to my earlier blog, there is a great article in today's Vancouver Sun on who the final torch bearer will be.  Visit http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/should+light+cauldron+There+great+ones+Great/2549951/story.html

Also, you have to see the ride the torch took yesterday, up Grouse Mountain.  Visit http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2010wintergames/Daring+torchbearers+take+ride+Grouse+Mountain+gondola/2548371/story.html

Well, I have a long night as I work the graveyard shift tonight.  See you tomorrow, after the Games open!!

MM.

The Torch Brings Good Vibes

The Olympic Torch is making its way around the communities that make up Vancouver.  On Wednesday, the torch came through White Rock, Surrey, and New Westminster.  I had the opportunity to see it on Columbia Street in downtown New West.

I don't know the torchbearer but he received the flame, right in front of where I was standing.  The support from the citizens of New West was great.  People were lined up two and three deep, just to see the flame for 15 seconds.

But, more than what you can see, it was very heartening to see the support from the citizens.  There were lots of people wearing the colour red and clothing that showed the pride of Canadians.

Even if you are not the biggest supporter of the cost of hosting the Games, you cannot help but be impressed by the nationalism and pride that the Games and the flame evokes.

Teams are Arriving in the Village - 3 days to go!!!

With three days to go, all of the teams are arriving in Vancouver. Yesterday, today and tomorrow are expected to be the busiest days in the airport.

As the various countries arrive in the Village, they are greeted with a Team Welcome Ceremony at the International Plaza.  Yesterday, I attended the ceremony welcoming Chile and Bulgaria.

The event started with the drumbeat of the Four Host Nations (First Nations).  The teams were announced and they marched in, behind their flag.  Next, an honour guard from Canada's military was led in by a Mountie in his red tunic. They were carrying the official flags of Chile and Bulgaria.

Rick Hansen, the Man in Motion, who serves as the mayor of the Vancouver Athletes Village, brought a warm welcome to these incoming teams.  The announcer said that the Man in Motion tour raised more than $200 million for spinal cord research.  I recall watching how fast Rick traveled in his wheelchair.  After hearing Rick's eloquent speech, there was no doubt the organizers picked the right person to serve as the ambassador of the Village.

Each Chef de Mission was presented with a gift and the national anthems were played, as the honour guard raised the respective flag of the country.

The event ended with the lively song of the Olympics, with most of the team members dancing with the musicians and Olympic volunteers.

Also yesterday, Hayley Wickenheiser, captain of Canada's Womens Hockey team, visited the fitness centre.  It was neat to see her in person.

Today, Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee will be touring the Village.  Also, it will be the only time the media get a chance to be "inside the ropes".

Later this morning, I'll be in downtown New Westminster to watch the Olympic torch come through the community.  It was announced that Walter Gretzky, Arnold Scharzenegger, Sebastien Coe and Rolly Fox (Terry's father) will be carrying the torch today.  There has been no word of Wayne Gretzky or Betty Fox (Terry's mother) carrying the torch in the next few days, which means they are probably slated for the run during the Opening Ceremonies.

Tomorrow, I'll be attending the dress rehearsal of the Opening Ceremonies with my aunt.  It should be a blast.

The Games open on Friday.  Don't miss it!

5 days to the Opening Ceremonies

We are just 5 days away from the Opening Ceremonies at the Vancouver Winter Games.

The Opening Ceremonies are bigger, better and more dramatic, with each Games.  Check out this article that contrasts past Ceremonies (http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/n/news/feature-stories/producing-olympic-games-opening-ceremonies_54364bs.html).

These have been one of the most anticipated Games ever. First, it is Canada and we can break the record of being the only host nation who hasn't won a gold medal. The "Own the podium" initiative has provided athletes with funding, coaching and support like never before. Instead of focusing on the negative, Canada is focused on being the leading nation as measured by medal count.

NBC is eagerly awaiting the Games too, as Vancouver's events will fit nicely into prime time television programming. CTV and TSN's partnership will have hundreds more hours than ever before.

Finally, just as Expo 86 put Vancouver on the world's stage, I expect the 2010 Games will truly make it a world city. Montreal is well known globally and Expo 67 and the 76 Summer Olympics solidified their reputation...I expect nothing less from Vancouver's time in the spotlight.

The real Opening Ceremonies are on Friday (February 12th).  I'm going to the dress rehearsal on the 10th.  Read what organizers are afraid of....http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=31416.html



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