Olympic spirit keeps flowing right into Paralympic Games
Posted Mar 5, 2010 By Sarah Kelford
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Tweet ThisEMC Lifestyles - What an end to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
An overtime men's hockey game gold-medal win for Canada over the United States. Third place medal standing overall and a hilarious showcase of Canadian stereotypes in the closing ceremonies.
Our Canadian hearts were beaming with pride, and rightfully so. We won the most gold medals, not only by a host nation, but by any country in the history of the Winter Olympics. For 17 days we were locked to our televisions, radios and internet sports sites receiving updates, watching victory ceremonies and listening to the national anthem over and over again.
What a great show. Our Olympic athletes came out on top, even if we didn't technically "Own the Podium," but that's a whole other column.
As the closing ceremonies came to an end Sunday night I couldn't help but feel emotional. As a nation we were left with so many wonderful memories from these Olympics. For 17 days I was hit with ups and downs as our athletes achieved their dream or saw it slip away by hundreds of a second.
But, as I began to think about the Olympics ending, I got excited. Our national pride doesn't need to stop with the Olympic games. In fact, we get to watch and cheer for our Canadian athletes again with the Paralympic Games from March 12 to 21.
With 32 countries competing in 64 events in alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, sledge hockey and wheelchair curling, our athletes are playing at home to win.
We welcomed the world into our home to celebrate the Olympics and we are going to show them how good of hosts we really are with the Paralympics. These athletes train and compete just as hard as anyone else, and they deserve our support and cheers.
One Paralympian tried to close the gap between the Olympics and Paralympics by competing in both events' cross-country skiing competitions.
However, at the eleventh hour, legally blind skier Brian McKeever was pulled from the 50-kilometre Sunday afternoon race in the Olympics and replaced with someone with better stats.
McKeever admitted he was angry, disappointed with the decision, but the coaches replaced him with a technically stronger and faster skier and he ultimately understood.
Paralympic athletes need to be commended. They are true role models. They have not let adversities get in the way of their success - and they are a true testament to never giving up.
Team Canada sledge hockey player Todd Nicholson, who has been playing for the past 24 years, recently stopped by local schools to speak with students and encourage them to believe.
We all go through hardships, but Nicholson explained that you can never give up and you never know if you will be good at something unless you try.
As these Paralympians try to win gold, I, along with a nation of supporters, will be cheering them on - just like I did Alexandre Bilodeau and Maelle Ricker. I will be on the edge of my seat like I was when Sidney Crosby scored the final goal for Team Canada.
All the best to our Canadian athletes. My pride, enthusiasm and excitement hasn't closed with the Olympics. Let's go Canada!
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