Closing Ceremony

SALUTO,

Unlike the opening ceremony where I saw the reharsal a few days ahead of the actual show, for the closing ceremony I had event tickets. I thought this would be the ultimate moment of the Games. I went in with the hopes of being surprised, but nothing did. I was happy that we were able to laugh at ourselves about the torch miscue, but honnestly we should not accept anything but perfection for a canadian display of talent. Back to the finally, the Games were awesome the closing ceremony was ok.. I just wish we were able to see an extraordinary display of Canadian talent though.. We have to learn to be perfect, especially when the world is watching.

The show was good though...

Concerning the hockey game, I am really happy that we won. But lets not forget that we compete and did very well in other sports....

Cheers,

X-Country Marathon (50 km)

Today was the best event of the Olympic Games.

X-country is to me the most challenging event at the Olympic Games. I am as you must have guest a cross-country skier. But really, I think it is the best event because not everone can do this event. Most people actually would not be able to complete this event. To me that is what makes it so prestigous. It takes true fitness to be able to complete such a distance and such a sport. The Canadians performed very well but they could've done better. We were at mid-race 3 and 4 and we finished 5 and 17... Oh well, the winning countries are some of the countries that I am looking to move to (Norway, Sweden, Germany)... All countries that support ultimate fitness performances...

I dare you to go x-country soon!

Tomorrow my experience at the Closing Ceremony and a little section on the gold medal hockey game

Un peu de Tremblant a Vancouver

Aujourd'hui nous avons vu un fier canadien bien réussir, très bien réussir. Son nom: Jasey-Jay Anderson, ce jeune homme qui compétitionne sur la scene internationale depuis plusieurs années ne cesse d'impressionné. Il competitionne un sport très monotone et qui n'avance pas vraiment à cause de sa nature. Je m'explique, les snowboarders sont relaxe maintenant, l'idée de faire du carving (le sport que Jasey fait). Ce sport n'est plus vraiment pratiqué dans notre région. Je me demande si ce sport est toujours pratiqué en Europe. En tout cas, Jasey est un bel exemple canadien, il est bilingue, père de famille et surtout très approchable.

Quelle récolte de médaille d'Or avons nous fait a ces jeux! Il reste a voir si le hockey masculin va remporter le médaille d'or...

The Vancouver Surprise

Hello all,

Today's blog will talk about my Olympic experience in Vancouver (not about sport).

I am amazed by Canadians attitude a these Games. I am personnally a proud Canadian but I feel that there is a 'Leafs' attitude around here. What I mean by a Leafs attitude is this arrongance. After winning the Men's Hockey game versus the Slovaks, people in the Vancouver street were chanting USA SUCKS... This sword of attitude, in my opinion, is not representative of being a Canadian. It is awesome to cheer for your country and to hope, but instead of being cut throat about, it we should congratulate extraordinary human performance no matter the sport...

Again on this atittude that is present in Vancouver, people seem to take the Games as a drinking feast. Every single event that we went to people in front and behind us in the stands were drunk. When we get back from event people in the street are drunk. When we exit the HBC superstore (my volunteer experience), people are drunk. People start drinking really early and do not know when to stop. Some of you will say well what the hell drinking is part of sport, I don't disagree. But I do think that 'drunkeness' ruins the Olympic spirit. In my opinion if you want to get drunk watching these events you should stay home. Why pay 100 of dollars to watch live events when you can't enjoy the event or even remember it...

What I'm describing here, is that Canadian?

Victory Ceremony

A little late on this one...

I was able to sleep in this morning so I enjoyed my first break....

Last night I went to my first Victory Ceremony at BC Place. These ceremonies are quite interesting but become boring fairly quickly. The previous day's winners are celebrated. The come on stage.. and then the protocol stuff starts...

I'm happy I saw it once but I wouldn't want to see it twice...

Very exciting tonight was the victory of our women, who just won GOLD. FÉLICITATION LES FILLES!

Qu'est-il arrive a la Suede

Bonjour,

J'aimerais debute ce blogue en m'excusant pour le manque d'accent, l'ordinateur que j'utilise presentement n'a pas l'option de changer le clavier...

Hier soir nous sommes aller voir le match de la Finland contre la Republique Czech. Un bon match, mais, il n'a pas eu beaucoup de but... La Finland a remporter le match par un score de 2-0.

Durant cette rencontre, j'ai reflechi sur les joueurs que nous avons perdu (a Ottawa). Le soir d'avant j'ai vu Marian Hossa en action et ce soir j'ai vu Martin Havlat. Je crois que ces joueurs avaient encore beaucoup a offrir a notre equipe. La preuve est que c'est joueur rendent encore en 2010 leur equipe de la LNH meilleur qu'elle le sont vraiment.

Une surprise c'est produite hier soir, la Suede a perdu le match contre la Slovakie. Ce verdict devrait donc ouvrir la porte a une medaille d'or pour le Canada au hockey masculin...

_______________

Today do not forget to watch TV. You will see Joanie Rochette, win a medal. You will also so our Canadian women's team win gold versus USA.

As you all know Joanie lost her mother during these games. She dies of a Heart Attack. Her courage, perseverence, will, and concentration is remarkable. For that reason she should be the flag bearer for the closing ceremony...

Bon courage Joanie, nous sommes avec toi!

Norway vs Slovakia

Last night was a SICK game....

Andree and I left COH really early to attempt to buy tickets for the Canada/Germany Game. We visited the box office without any success and then attempted to buy tickets from scalpers. Scalpers or what you could also call them scammers. One of them wanted to sell us the best seating ticket ever (apprently) for 650$ per ticket. YEAH RIGHT!

We decided to go watch the game in a bar. This was a wise decision because the game was a blowout!

LAter that evening we had tockets for the Norway/Slovakia match, what a game. Going into it I thought that game would be one sided with Slovakia's offensive power but I was wrong. The Game was tied 3-3- after the second period. Going into the third we felt Norway had a chance to win the game. Fortunately for the Slovaks the were able to come on top. I don't see them having a chance to win against the next opponent (SWEDEN)..

We'll see..

________________

Quel beau hockey que nous avons l'occasion de voir aux Jeux. Je suis impressionne par la vitesse du jeu et la seconde nature de la mise en echec. Une chose dont je ne suis pas surpris c'est la pietre performance des arbitres. En troisieme periode du match d'hier l'arbitre a omis d'appeler 7 punitions contre le Slovaks. Il a probablement perdu son sifflet durant l'intemission...

J'espere que les match eliminatoire sont mieu arbitre (non pas egalement mais justement!)

A demain

Women's hockey

Good Morning,

Good Morning GOOD MORNING its....

Last night I saw a playoff game of Women's hockey. Canada was playing Finland. Women's hockey is very entertainning to watch, eventhough the competition is poor. Our team is much stronger than the competition. But, competition aside, the style of play is very interesting, very little contact, lots of passes, and some very weak shots. Ok aside for the very weak shots and the no hitting the game is very well played.

Although I do not agree with massive hits, I think that body contact is an intergral part of the game. The purpose of body contact in hockey is not to injure but gain puck possesion. For the purpose and only for that purpose I must say that women's hockey does not get a good grade. A plyaer good potentially do some coast to coast without having any contact. Obvisouly this does not happen in women's hockey because they are very good at moving the puck around.

All and all a fun day at the rink, lots of people, lots of red and white, lots of goals, ans the obvious a big win!

See you tomorrow!

Ski-Cross

Good Morning,

Sorry for not writing to you last night, I was very tired after the 8 hour volunteer and the Ski-cross event.

The Ski cross event is a first t the Olympic Games. It is the ultimate event in my mind. The combination of speed, agility, strength, strategy, and tactic make for a promising futur.

For those of you who do not know how the event works.

1- Same course as snowboard cross

2- 33 competitiors race one at a time down the hill for best times

3- From the qualifiy time 32 competitors are divided in 8 pools of 4

4- Top two from each pool move on to the next round

5- From the 16 competitors remaining they are divided in 4 pools of 4

6- Top two from each pool move on to the next round

7- From the 8 Competitors remaining they are divided in 2 pools of 4

8-Top two from each pool move onto the finals

9- Finals - 4 competitors race down the course to crown a champion!

At yesterday's event 2 Canadians qualified for the semi (8 competitors total). From that group only 1 moved on to the next round. Debosco the final Canadian competitor finished fourth in the final race after a major fall less tan 50 meters from the finish line. The fall happened after jump was misjudge by the competitor... No medals:( but lots of fun!

Have a good day!

Are Canadians truly Canucks?

Hello,

Tonight after the short track event at the Pacific Coliseum I questioned myself over the fact that we are chockers. We had 2 Canadians in the final (of 5 competitors) and we came out with 0 medals. At times I feel like we are out of luck, but I question myself. Why can asian countries maintain their strength year after year.

I do not want to blame coaching or the Hamelin brothers for this but I do think that we are missing killer instinct.

I really enjoyed watching short track, to me this event was much better than the halfpipe.

Andree and I are looking or tickets at the Richmond Oval. If ever you know anyone who is selling, let us know...

Cheers

Friday night fever!

Vancouver loves to party on the weekends. Leaving COH tonight the streets were jam packed with families. It is awesome to see the enthusiasm this city has for hosting the Games.

This morning I had the opportunity to see two of my heroes. Believe or not this individuals are not athletes. I had the opportunity to see Holger Preuss a prof that writes about the economic impact of the Olympic Games and also Richard Pound the IOC member who is also on the board of VANOC. These two individuals met my expectations.

Cheers

PEI PARTY

Ok EAST COAST we love you...

Today the crowd gathered at the COH for a private event from individuals from PEI. It was great to hear the music, taste the food and enjoy their presence.

Another day with a medal! We are so happy around here to see that our Canadian athletes are continuously winning. For some events we were disapointed in our performance but with the few surprises that we have seen our objectives remain on PAR.

Since Lai's arrival we haven't seen any rain...

Tonight, Team Canada in hcokey struggled against Switzerland. In my view it will be a long and hard to tournament for us. We have to become way more offensive than what we are up to now...

the futur will tell how far we go!

An athlete looks like...

Hello,

Today I want to spend this blog on what it takes to be an athlete...

Your size, your age and your weight should never have an impact on how or what you can do. Peope who have the will can achieve what they want. Some of the athletes that walked into the Canadian Olympic House could be confused for your average Joe. And that's what athletes really are. It is a challenge for most to imagine that an athlete can do very well and my short or even be a small person. Well yes and chances are small athletes have qualities that the sport demands. Sure taller athletes dominate in some sports but come on most olympic sport do not require you to be 6 feet in order to challenge with the best.

People put to much emphasis on the size of an individual... It is much more interesting to have good hand-eye coordination, accuracy, agility, speed etc. This will assure that the athlete can aim high and meet their goals.

An athlete looks like me and you, obviously with a lot more training and a lot more will.

Cheers,
________________
Les gens ici sont heureux de parler a des benevoles qui sont bilingue. Il semblerait que certaines familles d'athlete auraient beaucoup de difficulte de communiquer dans leur langue. Tout cela dit, les jeux sont super bien organizer. Les benevoles du Covan sont impressionnant. Il est remarquable d'observer l'effort des organisateur pour la pluspart des details...

Vancouver est reellement une ville a visiter!

Bonne nuit

Men's Snowboard Half Pipe

OMG,

What a cool event. We woke up really early that day, did not have tickets, and made our best purchase thus far in Vancouver. The ride to Cypress Mountain was about 1 hour. The ride was pretty green, no snow up there. It was awesome to see the set up of the pipe. Right beside the halfpipe was the previous day event course (snowboard cross). WOW, the snowboard cross was quite the course, the drops were a lot more impressive in person.

Concerning the halfpipe event, it was a long day. Afternoon was qualifications and semi and at night was the final competitors. It was very warm in the stands during the afternoon but at night it became a little cool. The competition itself was awesome, but became really repetitive. Its very cool to see what these athletes do on a halfpipe, but the spins, flips and grabs become quite repetitive. We saw over 120 runs yesterday and must have seen at least 80 falls. I now understand why these guys can only compete for for a few years.

It was awesome though.
_________________________

C'etait super de voir un athlete canadien se qualifie pour la finale aujourd'hui. Mais je dois vous dire que parmi nous, nous sommes tres decu. Nous avions 3 competiteurs parmi les 20 autres, mais nous ne sommes pas arrive a remporter de medaille. En fin de compte a mon avis ce n'est pas necessairement remporter une medaille mais c'est plutot de ce donner une chance de remporter une medaille. Nous ne sommes pas arrive a competitionner une medaille, les autres etait dans une ligue appart, voila ce qui m'a decu.

a tous une superbe journee!

The NHL at the Games

Bonjour,

Le hockey est un sport que nous les canadiens adorons. Nous parlons souvent comme si nous appartenons ce sport. C'est fantastique de voir ce genre d'engouement pour une activite sportive.

Nous oublions parfois que plusieurs nations partagent cette emotion pour le hockey en plus de partager plein d'autre passion pour d'autre sport.

Il existe deux problemes reel pour le hockey au jeu, d'une perspective canadienne. Magre le fait que l'on dit que les athletes ne sont plus amateur lorsqu'ils se rendent au jeu, ils le sont tout de meme, surtout l'athlete canadien moyen. Il est moyen puisque sans contrat de commandites personnelles, son revenu n'est pas tres eleve. Nous sommes une nation qui demande beaucoup au niveau de la performance mais qui n'est pas pret a rien mettre (cout). Les joueurs de hockey eux sont professionels. Ces super de voir des professionnels jouer mais d'une perspective du bien du plus grand nombre, il faudrait que cette argent attribue au joueur de hockey soit redistribue au autre sport afin de creer la meme emotion a travers la panoplie de sport que nous participons au jeu.
_________________

A few days ago, I saw Jerome Iginla at the airport. He seemed like a very classy individual. After that I started thinking how these athletes live their lives and started to question myself about their challenges.

I personnally would not like to be photograph, asked for autographs and being recognized everywhere I go. Sure they make loads of money but they do do not get person space. Everywhere they go and everything they do is under a microscope.

Hockey is a very fun sport but lots of health consequences and family problems can be link to the type of lifestyle professional athletes live.

Sure I'll admit the Olympics have became a prof sport display... We can't look at how canadians do things, because that may not look like professional. But most countries treat and pay their athletes as if they were pros...

Later...

There's a first for everything

Today I attended my first ever Olympic event (live), it was unbelievable. We saw Alpine ski in Whistler. Our athletes proved to be a disappointment for this event. All except Eric Guay. Everyone played up the performance of Manuel Osborne-Paradis, but the so called Manny forgot to show up today.

Although we did not win any medals at this event, it was cool to drive up to Whistler, see the surroundings, and attend the event.

Tonight I had a chance to mett Alexandre Bilodeau. Yes I had the opportunity to meet and talk with our first Olympic Gold as a host nation (ever). I did not get a picture with him, but I will never forget this day...

Cheers,
_________________

Ce soir nous avons encore une fois ete decu par Mr. Witherspoon. Apres plusieurs jeux ou il connait des deceptions je suis attrsite de vous dire qu'encore une fois il nous decoit. J'adore cette athlete, il est bien entra[ine et il performe super bien en coupe du monde. Il est cependant impossible pour lui de maintenir son niveau de performance eleve au jeu.

Egalement aujourd'hui j'ai eu l'occasion de discuter avec Luc Robitaille. Je n'en revenais pas, il est un super bon gars...

Nous esperons beaucoup de medailles demain!

GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

M A L A D E!!!

We finally won a gold medal on Canadian soil. Our first ever gold medal as a host country. As you can imagine this is a lot of fun. People here are partying it up!! WAY UP! C Malade! We really believe in our Canadian Athletes.

Today my girlfriend arrived in Vancouver. Nice day to arrive (St-Valentin). We are going to see Alpine ski tomorrow morning in Whistler... Don't forget to watch us (i'll do my best so that you can see me cheer on our athletes.

The pavillions and all the activities that are on site are unbelievable. People are cheerful and excited of hosting the Olympic Games. I am very excited to have the opportunity to live this... Although I love the crowds, I must admit that lines are so long. We have to wait everywhere we go...

__________________

La squence de defaite est termine. Nous ne sommes plus la honte, nous avons finalement remporte une medaille d'or au Canada. Mr. Bilodeau est un fier representant canadien qui ne cesse d'impressionner.

Aujourd'hui en allant cherche Lai a l'aeroport j'ai vu Jerome Iginla. Il est pret a nous aider a remporter une medaille. Cet athlete est fantatique! Non seulement est-il athletique, aimable, travaillant, rude mais il semble egalement etre un bon pere de famille.

Continuons sur cette belle sequence!

Feb 13: Our First Medal

We won silver!

MALADE, je suis super content d'avoir vécu une aussi belle performance canadienne de notre athlèete HEIL de ski accrobatique.

Je suis conscient que ceci n'est que la première journée ou nous avons la chance de remporter des médailles. Je crois cependant dans le momentum des victoires. Si nous commençons à remporter des médailles dès le départ des jeux, nous avons beaucoup plus de chance de remporter un grand nombre de médaille, et tout cela grâce au momentum des autres médailles.

NOUS AVONS CONFIANCE!

_________________________

Another rainy day in Vancouver, the first event where canadians were competing we on today. It was fun to see our athletes and others do well. The speedskater from Netherlands whom beat an Olympic record was marvelous.

You may think that I am weird, maybe. I do want our athletes to do well, I really hope we do. But what I am really looking for is for athletes in general do marvelous things. Records are present to be beat!

Tonight, shot out is to Jennifer Heil, who did her best to win our first medal at these Olympic Games.

It is very unfortunate that we cannot have snow here. The ski event tonight was delayed and was affected by the rain. The rain does change the feel of the course and the ski conditions. I will not get into the snow science but I will say that it is unfortunate that we cannot have 'loads of snow'. Some of you will say that it is an equal field and that makes for an interesting event. I would argue that without top conditions it is hard for the best to be the best.

Anywho looking forward to more medals from our athletes!

CHEERS,

NEVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!!!

Opening Ceremony

Post of Feb 12th,

The Opening Ceremony was very good. As much as China showed its culture and strenght on specific technology such as Pirotechnics., Canada envisionned similar goals. The ceremony highlighted canadian talent, culture, and mostly nature. You must have reliased the style used to mark our four distinct seasons.

These ceremonies were a time of redemption. We wanted to show that we were serious, not just in hosting the Games but also in winning medals. BC Place received a significant upgrade, all the seats were changed, the entrances and the washrooms were updated...

The opening was awesome, singers, displays, croud participation and checkpoints were HIT. The only item not rehearsed, the lighting of the torch is what became our disapointment.

With programs such as Own the Podium, Paint the town red and with great performances by winter Canadian athletes we had a good reason to believe.

Believing is not just perception, it's with everything. We want to do well, but what would make us do well is not to accept second tear performances, and that starts with the organisation of the Games, including the Ceremony.

We were truly disapointed when the Torch 'difficulties' occured. China would not accept any failures or weaknesses on any level during their Games. Why did this happen? Well, we (canadians) have the biggest heart, but we can't seem to be able to close. This same principles apply to our athletes but also to the various organisations.

Lets hope that our athletes are not distracted by the miscue and also that we can turn our disapointments of the past into successful GAMES.

GO CANADA GO

Day 1 at the Canadian House!

Ce voyage s'avère être une aventure incroyable. Les foules sont immenses, les gens sont heureux, l'organisation est fantastique en plus de tout le reste. Les mots ne peuvent décrire ma joie au sujet des jeux de Vancouver. Je suis heureux d'être ici et de vivre cet expérience unique. Demain soir auront lieu la cérémonie d'ouverture des jeux. J'espère que chacun et chacune d'entre vous auront l'occasion de voir ce merveilleux spectacle, je vous garanti de belle émotions.

Bonne nuit!

_______________

Today was the first day at COH, the 6th floor of the HBC Flagship store. You would not believe how beautiful the arrangement is on that floor. Volunteers from everywhere in Canada, will help the athletes and families find a home away from home. I am looking forward to this opportunity to help our athletes with their preparation.

Another rainy day in Vancouver, it rains so much that my 'dollar store' umbrella broke. I've been here for 4 days now and I have yet to see the sun for more than 2 hours at a time. The like spark that would bring these games above the success line would definitely be a snowfall that would cover the entire city.

I have to make a shout out to my Ottawa Senators, who I must say have been playing some tremendous hockey these past few weeks. I was annoyed early on in the year with their poor performance but they really turned it around in since the Christmas break. The Sens won versus the top team in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals.

Tonight I once again saw the torch relay. We were one the B-line coming back to UBC when the bus was stopped due to block off roads. We decided to get out and see what was going on, as expected the police were blocking all traffic to let the torch bearer’s advance.

With all the commercial stuff around the games, it was good to see athletes and the torch today. It really brought my Olympic smile back.I am in Vancouver to live sport and peace.