In anticipation of the beginning of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, I thought I would look back at my trip to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. It is hard to believe it was four years ago and even harder to believe that I was actually there! The Olympics were such a wonderful, positive experience for me and I am much better for having attended them.
My trip was planned only a little over a month before the start of the Games. I am grateful for an e-mail from Darren Heitner, of SportsAgentBlog.com, asking if I would be attending the Olympics. I had never really thought seriously about it, but after getting that e-mail I decided to start looking. Within a few hours I had a flight booked, a place to stay, and tickets for a couple of hockey games. I was on my way.
My trip was planned only a little over a month before the start of the Games. I am grateful for an e-mail from Darren Heitner, of SportsAgentBlog.com, asking if I would be attending the Olympics. I had never really thought seriously about it, but after getting that e-mail I decided to start looking. Within a few hours I had a flight booked, a place to stay, and tickets for a couple of hockey games. I was on my way.
I can still
hear the CTV Olympic theme music in my head. I woke up to it each morning at
Matt and Heather's apartment. The unbelievable generosity of two good friends
made my trip possible. I will be forever indebted to them for letting me stay
with them and experience the Olympics firsthand.
There are
too many memories to recount in one simple blog entry. But these are some of my favourite memories:
- Flying across Canada in one day, over the majestic Rocky Mountains, and landing in Vancouver;
- Watching
Sidney Crosby (with whom I have a hate/love relationship) score a shootout goal
to beat Switzerland in what has to be the greatest sporting event I have ever
attended;
- Getting to
check out Molson Canadian Hockey House, quite the place;
- Seeing the
Olympic torch lit up at night;
- Skating atop
Grouse Mountain at 6AM and getting a panoramic view of Vancouver from a cable
car going up the mountain;
- Meeting
Scotty Bowman outside Canada Hockey Place (aka GM Place, as it was then) (aka
Rogers Arena, as it is now);
- Getting to
see four Detroit Red Wings play for Team Sweden;
- Attending
the gold medal game in women's curling, which was exciting, despite the Canadian
loss;
- Watching the
Olympic Rings in the harbour turn gold each time Canada won a gold medal;
- Seeing people
from all over the world walking around the city.
I
know some people don't really like crowds, but I found the crowds in Vancouver
compelling. There was so much Canadian pride showing throughout the entire 10
days I was there. I don't know if our country will ever experience anything
like that again. It was wonderful to experience it in person.
I have said it before and I will say it again: this was the best trip I have ever taken. I am not sure how I will ever top it. Hopefully
the Winter Olympics will return to Canada one day. It would be great to be a
part of them again, and this time experience it with more of my family and friends.
I am looking forward to watching our Canadian athletes compete in Sochi and I hope that everyone who attends the Olympics is safe and enjoys the experience. I know I certainly did. It was a life changing trip and I am much better because of it. But I am looking forward to watching these Olympics at home with my fiancée, family, and friends. It will be a different experience, but an enjoyable one.
I am looking forward to watching our Canadian athletes compete in Sochi and I hope that everyone who attends the Olympics is safe and enjoys the experience. I know I certainly did. It was a life changing trip and I am much better because of it. But I am looking forward to watching these Olympics at home with my fiancée, family, and friends. It will be a different experience, but an enjoyable one.
GO
CANADA GO!!!!
