Vancouver Winter Olympics, Ground Perspective
Hello, Sports Fans! :-)
Well, this is a very late post, but as it's the last weekend of the 2010 Winter Olympics, I thought I'd still post a few pics and such anyway. After all, it's not every day that the Olympic Games are held in practically one's own backyard!
As many of you know, the reason I'm this behind in posting anything about the Olympics is because of all the trauma my family and I have been going through over the past two weeks. It's been quite hard, but I have so much to be grateful about too. (including to you, my friends, who have offered support and prayers and warm thoughts when I needed it most. Thank you so much!) And I'm currently up in my hometown, (where there is still some snow, and I'm hoping to go for a cross-country ski in between other things, including watching more events - which will be therapeutic and stress-relief, I hope) for a couple of days before returning to the grind of work. (Today and tomorrow is the Open House in my suite - I can't help but worry about how that's going, and hoping my stuff is all safe!!! *bites nails*)
In the midst of my great stress, exhaustion, and grief, the Olympic Games have proved a welcome distraction, and soI'm posting some pics here for your persusal. I've been trying my best to follow the Games and events when I can.
This is not exactly hard to do, as they're EVERYwhere here, on every screen and radio station, in every pub, bar, restaurant, and store, and though I've sadly not been able to participate and enjoy many of the activities and festivities (and the cool Cultural Olympiad) that I'd originally hoped for, thanks to the packing and moving stress, the hospital crisis with my Grandad, and the difficult death in the family, (it still hurts, and is hard to believe), I've seen a little bit here and there, and gone downtown a few times, because when else in my lifetime is this likely to happen right where I live???
I'm sad that I couldn't personally attend very much, including actual Olympic events, as I couldn't afford any tickets - but I have friends who have gone, and my landlady has been able to go to NINE different events, including hockey and the gold-medal Ice Dance event, lucky, lucky her. (She told me it was 'only' $1100 (Cdn) to get her tickets. Only!!! *aghast* Must be nice.) There's been plenty of free things for people to do, all over the place, and great free concerts and things that several friends and colleagues have gone - there are piles of fun-sounding activities. (I have to admit I feel a bit envious. But, it just wasn't in the cards for me. *shrug*)
Anyway, the excitement, despite everything I've been going through, is electric down in Vancouver, and contagious! You can almost feel the energy pouring out of the province, and indeed, the country. Sure, Canada is not number one in medal count, (our powerful neighbours and allies to the south have those honours, of course) but it is an achievement and an honour in and of itself to simply be able to host these Games, and I've rarely seen such patriotic pride (Canadians are generally a more humble, quiet, and self-effacing lot) evidenced everywhere. (I've never seen so many maple leafs, flags, and red and white colours everywhere, not even on Canada Day!) Considering we're a pretty small nation, (in every way other than geographically) Canada's athletes are doing remarkably well. (there's typically not much funding for our athletic or Olympic programmes, and most athletes work other jobs and also do their own fundraising.)
Canada has taken a bit of flak for the weather conditions, (not much snow, except thankfully in Whistler and on the mountains, and between El Nino (it is a bad El Nino year) and global warming, winter here has ironically and painfully taken quite a hit this year, the direct opposite of January and February last winter! (even on this rainforest coast) It's almost a bit embarrassing, but really nothing anyone can do about.
And of course, different countries have made fun of Canada's hopes of gold (we had some international visitors, including Americans, laugh in our face and on our news) and the controversial 'Own the Podium' programme, and even here at home Canadians have felt it was a kind of 'un-Canadian' and uncharacteristically arrogant (and failing) plan. Still, more importantly, we, (like all our fellow nations, I'm sure) are incredibly supportive of our Olympian athletes, and are proud of them, whether they win or not. Personally, I believe attitude is equally (if not more) important as ability, and Sportsmanship and the true Olympic Spirit are the most wonderful and key ideals to strive for here, and attain. To be gracious in loss as well as victory shows what the Olympian spirit is all about. And it's been so awesome that so many competitors from so many nations have shown that spirit and that amazing attiude.
There have been heartbreaking losses, and more than a share of agonizing defeats, but there has also been thrilling triumphs and heartwarming and inspirational stories. The Norwegian skier who won a medal in a Nordic event despite injuries including cracked ribs in certainly inspiriing, as is the Bronze medal in Ladies' Figure Skating by Joannie Rochette, who competed after her mother died suddenly while arriving in Vancouver to be there for her daughter. (that brought tears to my eyes.) The story of the Snow Leopard, Kwame from Ghana, is also so amazing and inspiring. These athletes really demonstrate a great heart, and a great Olympic ideal. It's one reason I love the Olympics so much.
The best part is that it is so cool welcoming the world to this little corner of the country. It's so cool to walk around and see people from so many different countries, and to hear so many diverse languages being spoken, and so many different flags being waved. It's really neat! :-)
And though I love the Summer Games, the Winter ones have a special place in my own heart, partly because I am Canadian, *g* and really do love winter, and winter sports. I mean, I do kayaking and swimming in the summer, and love the horse events, but I also personally do plenty of winter activities when I can, including both cross-country and alpine skiing, ice skating, and tobogganing/sledding, (the closest most of us come to bobsleigh and luge and skeleton!) plus I play broomball and hockey! (I have a game coming up, staff vs students - must practice!)
Hockey really is a national pasttime here in Canada, and it's watched and cheered for regularly and traditionally. (I'm a Canucks fan, and of the Montreal Canadiens) Last night's game against Slovakia was truly a nail-biter, and I expect so will tomorrow's big game vs. the U.S.! Team Canada was already beaten by the States last weekend, and I know Canada is the underdog here going in, but no matter what the outcome, (and believe me, a lot of Canadian hearts are on the line here) I'm certain it will be a great game and superlative play for both sides - and very entertaining for all viewers, so it's a win all-round already! :-)
So, to finish off, here are a few more photos of some of the crowds and things to see downtown Vancouver, with a few of my friends and co-workers and students interspersed throughout. (I don't know how many pics can fit on one post, so I'll do a few separate posts here.)
I hope everyone who cares about such things are enjoying the final days of this Olympiad!
Cheers!
Paxwolf the Non-Athlete, But Big Olympic Fan :-)
Below here is one of the Torchbearers in downtown Vancouver, the day of the Opening Ceremonies:
And these are a couple shots of a few friends and coworkers (while standing outside in freezing rain) watching the Opening Ceremonies on a giant outdoor screen in Yaletown LiveCity (downtown, and the Olympic Torch and another torchbearer. :-)
Well, this is a very late post, but as it's the last weekend of the 2010 Winter Olympics, I thought I'd still post a few pics and such anyway. After all, it's not every day that the Olympic Games are held in practically one's own backyard!
As many of you know, the reason I'm this behind in posting anything about the Olympics is because of all the trauma my family and I have been going through over the past two weeks. It's been quite hard, but I have so much to be grateful about too. (including to you, my friends, who have offered support and prayers and warm thoughts when I needed it most. Thank you so much!) And I'm currently up in my hometown, (where there is still some snow, and I'm hoping to go for a cross-country ski in between other things, including watching more events - which will be therapeutic and stress-relief, I hope) for a couple of days before returning to the grind of work. (Today and tomorrow is the Open House in my suite - I can't help but worry about how that's going, and hoping my stuff is all safe!!! *bites nails*)
In the midst of my great stress, exhaustion, and grief, the Olympic Games have proved a welcome distraction, and soI'm posting some pics here for your persusal. I've been trying my best to follow the Games and events when I can.
This is not exactly hard to do, as they're EVERYwhere here, on every screen and radio station, in every pub, bar, restaurant, and store, and though I've sadly not been able to participate and enjoy many of the activities and festivities (and the cool Cultural Olympiad) that I'd originally hoped for, thanks to the packing and moving stress, the hospital crisis with my Grandad, and the difficult death in the family, (it still hurts, and is hard to believe), I've seen a little bit here and there, and gone downtown a few times, because when else in my lifetime is this likely to happen right where I live???
I'm sad that I couldn't personally attend very much, including actual Olympic events, as I couldn't afford any tickets - but I have friends who have gone, and my landlady has been able to go to NINE different events, including hockey and the gold-medal Ice Dance event, lucky, lucky her. (She told me it was 'only' $1100 (Cdn) to get her tickets. Only!!! *aghast* Must be nice.) There's been plenty of free things for people to do, all over the place, and great free concerts and things that several friends and colleagues have gone - there are piles of fun-sounding activities. (I have to admit I feel a bit envious. But, it just wasn't in the cards for me. *shrug*)
Anyway, the excitement, despite everything I've been going through, is electric down in Vancouver, and contagious! You can almost feel the energy pouring out of the province, and indeed, the country. Sure, Canada is not number one in medal count, (our powerful neighbours and allies to the south have those honours, of course) but it is an achievement and an honour in and of itself to simply be able to host these Games, and I've rarely seen such patriotic pride (Canadians are generally a more humble, quiet, and self-effacing lot) evidenced everywhere. (I've never seen so many maple leafs, flags, and red and white colours everywhere, not even on Canada Day!) Considering we're a pretty small nation, (in every way other than geographically) Canada's athletes are doing remarkably well. (there's typically not much funding for our athletic or Olympic programmes, and most athletes work other jobs and also do their own fundraising.)
Canada has taken a bit of flak for the weather conditions, (not much snow, except thankfully in Whistler and on the mountains, and between El Nino (it is a bad El Nino year) and global warming, winter here has ironically and painfully taken quite a hit this year, the direct opposite of January and February last winter! (even on this rainforest coast) It's almost a bit embarrassing, but really nothing anyone can do about.
And of course, different countries have made fun of Canada's hopes of gold (we had some international visitors, including Americans, laugh in our face and on our news) and the controversial 'Own the Podium' programme, and even here at home Canadians have felt it was a kind of 'un-Canadian' and uncharacteristically arrogant (and failing) plan. Still, more importantly, we, (like all our fellow nations, I'm sure) are incredibly supportive of our Olympian athletes, and are proud of them, whether they win or not. Personally, I believe attitude is equally (if not more) important as ability, and Sportsmanship and the true Olympic Spirit are the most wonderful and key ideals to strive for here, and attain. To be gracious in loss as well as victory shows what the Olympian spirit is all about. And it's been so awesome that so many competitors from so many nations have shown that spirit and that amazing attiude.
There have been heartbreaking losses, and more than a share of agonizing defeats, but there has also been thrilling triumphs and heartwarming and inspirational stories. The Norwegian skier who won a medal in a Nordic event despite injuries including cracked ribs in certainly inspiriing, as is the Bronze medal in Ladies' Figure Skating by Joannie Rochette, who competed after her mother died suddenly while arriving in Vancouver to be there for her daughter. (that brought tears to my eyes.) The story of the Snow Leopard, Kwame from Ghana, is also so amazing and inspiring. These athletes really demonstrate a great heart, and a great Olympic ideal. It's one reason I love the Olympics so much.
The best part is that it is so cool welcoming the world to this little corner of the country. It's so cool to walk around and see people from so many different countries, and to hear so many diverse languages being spoken, and so many different flags being waved. It's really neat! :-)
And though I love the Summer Games, the Winter ones have a special place in my own heart, partly because I am Canadian, *g* and really do love winter, and winter sports. I mean, I do kayaking and swimming in the summer, and love the horse events, but I also personally do plenty of winter activities when I can, including both cross-country and alpine skiing, ice skating, and tobogganing/sledding, (the closest most of us come to bobsleigh and luge and skeleton!) plus I play broomball and hockey! (I have a game coming up, staff vs students - must practice!)
Hockey really is a national pasttime here in Canada, and it's watched and cheered for regularly and traditionally. (I'm a Canucks fan, and of the Montreal Canadiens) Last night's game against Slovakia was truly a nail-biter, and I expect so will tomorrow's big game vs. the U.S.! Team Canada was already beaten by the States last weekend, and I know Canada is the underdog here going in, but no matter what the outcome, (and believe me, a lot of Canadian hearts are on the line here) I'm certain it will be a great game and superlative play for both sides - and very entertaining for all viewers, so it's a win all-round already! :-)
So, to finish off, here are a few more photos of some of the crowds and things to see downtown Vancouver, with a few of my friends and co-workers and students interspersed throughout. (I don't know how many pics can fit on one post, so I'll do a few separate posts here.)
I hope everyone who cares about such things are enjoying the final days of this Olympiad!
Cheers!
Paxwolf the Non-Athlete, But Big Olympic Fan :-)
Below here is one of the Torchbearers in downtown Vancouver, the day of the Opening Ceremonies:
And these are a couple shots of a few friends and coworkers (while standing outside in freezing rain) watching the Opening Ceremonies on a giant outdoor screen in Yaletown LiveCity (downtown, and the Olympic Torch and another torchbearer. :-)