It is late and the last day has been so crazy, I don't know where to start.
I could just talk about the hockey game but let's wait.
Last night was pretty fun with expected and unexpected things happening. I was at Canada Olympic House. An area dedicated to Canadian athletes, their families, friends and sponsors and so on. There was a Snowboard Canada get together event and someone nicely put me on the list so I could get in. It was fun hanging out with the snowboarders who have been pretty successful at these games. Especially with JJ Anderson starting 0.76 seconds later than his opponent, got a great line and passed him to get the gold medal. That was not much later than the men's speed skaters taking the US in the final and beating them by 0.2 seconds to get a gold medal and our men on the curling rink getting a gold as well. 3 Gold medals within hours. The place was revving with positive energy. All these guys showed up at Canada House after all their media obligations were done. OUr curling skip had no more voice and needed a good beer to get the evening to start winding down.
When we left , we noticed a large gathering on a street corned right in downtown. The people were jumping and chanting "Go Canada Go", they were dancing and basically having the best of time. There was a lot of music appearing to come from coordinated "boomboxes". A signs
held by a dancing person mentioned some website. It appears it's a spontaneous type group that starts a street party. These days in Vancouver, it's not hard to start people going. It was infectious! People were singing and having a great time with a few classic tunes: Sweet Caroline, YMCA, etc.
There was not much on anyone's mind other than HOCKEY today. They guys looked relaxed for breakfast. Most places in the country were likely planning full bars and restaurant and no other type of work would get done. I managed to get myself in the Game. We were worried at some point as, in many of these Games / events I have been involved with, rules that mkae no sense seem to appear at ridiculous moments. Were were told that the only people allowed where we were sitting, what had been called the "Athletes Seats" for 2 and a half weeks, were now only for "Hockey team members". It took a while to sort out but we kept our seats and enjoyed the loudest event produced without microphones or amplifiers. We'll see replays of that goal for quite some time. I wonder if someone in the middle of an isolated field anywhere in our country would have heard all the Canadians scream and cheer at the score moment as the "cheer" would have been at the exact time from the Yukon to Newfoundland. I have no writing skills to describe the euphoria. It was absolutely unique and will likely not be reproduced in our time. It was the story book finish to the Canadian Olympic Games.
We then rushed over to get ready for Closing Ceremonies.As opposed to the Opening event, we all got to march in. What a blast. You all got to see our warm clothing made of thick wool! Everyone was happy. We felt that these Games were a success. Third in ranking when we look at the numbers of medals won, but first in number of Gold medals. The Olympic winner is deemed to be the country with the most "wins" or the most Golds. We therefore won. Canada had entered these GAmes as the only country to have hosted the Games , twice, and not won Gold. We finished these Games establishing a new record in the MOST Gold medals won by a host country: 14!! What an achievement. The highlight reel of these Games is endless. The emotional highs and lows have unified our country as sports seem to always do.
Marching in the Closing Ceremonies is not as organized and we see so much intermingling of different sports and countries together. Afterwards, we get back to the Village where the COC has a get together of its own and we hang out, enjoy the ever classic: pizza and beer. Hockey players, curlers,skaters, bobsledders and skiers all hanging out and enjoying the memories that are permanent. Everyone from home asks: did you see the NHL players? Afte their win and celebration in the dressing room, most had to leave. They had already checked out of the Village and most moved their stuff to the Host hotel , Westin near Stanley Parc, and were flying out that evening. Some had to be withtheir NHL team today. Only Scott Nedermeyer came to Closing Ceremonies. He was the captain and played his role. He's a genuine nice guy who didn't hesitate to be with the crowd and marching with us and ot playing the habitual pseudo-separation that we see with the NHL players. They are partof the team as Olympians but cannot shake their tag as Professional athletes and popular icons. I heard that most were pretty happy being part of the gang in the athletes lounge on our 12th floor "Penthouse" area. Imaging playing NHL hockey video games with your favorie hockey stars. These will be fine memoriesfor the amateur athletes composing our Olympic team.
A great Olympic Game.
Have a Great Day. This will be my last post as I'm packing up the clinic tomorrow and we're heading home on Tuesday. Looking forward to seeing all my family soon. Unfortunately, even if I attempt to describe or write about these experiences, it is never possible to fully understand "living" the experience. I have been fortunate to have been selected as a physician on Canada's Olympic Team. I hope you have enjoyed sharing it with me.
Richard
No comments:
Post a Comment