Vancouver 2010: The Olympics Through the Eyes of a Hometown Hockey Fan

First Off, You may have been wondering where I have gone in terms of my writing over the last couple weeks, sadly living on a friends couch during the Olympics doesn’t allow for spare time to work on new articles. Over the last three weeks, I took in the Olympic Games from the city of Vancouver itself, enjoying what will be remembered as Vancouver’s greatest achievement, culminating in one of the best hockey games of all time.

While the Olympic Games didn’t start off until the opening ceremonies that night, my Olympic experience started with a long journey into the city itself. Bus ferries, busses and sky train cars left the impression that the world had indeed arrived in Vancouver. Even the line at the liquor store made it quite clear that everyone was ready to start the games. Unfortunately while travelling through town with thousands strangers from all over the world, the biggest topic of conversation became the death of Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili who was killed in a tragic accident at the Whistler sliding centre. It was a sad day for the Olympics and the Vancouver games themselves, the loss of an Olympic athlete shook everyone in BC place during a moment of silence that night, however as the ceremonies continued the stadium atmosphere became electric, sparked by the entrance of Team Canada.

Once Team Canada entered BC Place, the stadium was alive with excitement, ready to cheer on the athletes walking in front of them over two weeks of intense and spirited competition. The Own The Podium movement had been put into place, now it was time to see how far we have become. The excitement of Canada’s first Olympic gold medal on home soil, the musical talent of K.D. Lang, the poetic ability of Shane Koyczan and the anticipation of the lighting of the Olympic torch all built the Opening Ceremony into an amazing event to start off the games. As I watched from a living room in Kitsilano, I realized that the opening ceremonies were Canada’s way of stepping out into the spotlight, welcoming the world to visit one of the best places on earth.

As the ceremonies continued, the topic of conversation turned from tragedy to giddy anticipation as everyone wondered who would be the last person to bring the Olympic flame into BC place, and officially begin the games. Names like Gretzky, Greene, Le May Doan, Orr, Nash and Hansen were all kicked around, but in the end they all had a part in the flame reaching its final destination for the games, with none other than The Great One taking it there.

While the ceremonies did not come without their hiccups and malfunctions, the ceremony was Canada’s final coming out party. The lighting of the Olympic torch served as a declaration by Canadians everywhere, welcome to Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, home of the True, North, Strong and Free.

The feel continued into the streets and bars throughout downtown, anyone who was wearing Team Canada clothing became an immediate friend, another ambassador to the world among a sea of red and white throughout downtown Vancouver. For two weeks Robson Square and the Granville strip became a sea of high-fives, “Go Canada Go” chants, and honking cars celebrating the great athletic achievements Canadians had conquered over the last two weeks.

We came together to witness a collection of amazing achievements that led the nation to believe that we really did “Own the Podium”. While we did not win the overall medal count, Canadian athletes made history winning a record 14 Gold Medals, most in any Winter Olympic Games, an especially commemorative achievement to be accomplished on home soil. This is how I remembered the Olympics over an amazing two weeks full of tragedy, anticipation, relief, joy, pride, anxiety and ecstasy.

• Saturday 13^th – Jennifer Heil wins a silver medal in women’s moguls, so close to the first gold medal on home soil that Heil, and all of Canada had been hoping for. The city is still happy to see Canada on the board with a medal.
• Sunday 14^th – Finally, the streak is over. Canadian Men’s Mogul star Alexandre Bilodeau is the first to win gold at home for Canada, let the party begin! Robson Square, Granville Street, and everywhere else downtown is a giant party, local news that night declared Vancouver’s “no fun city” moniker of the past dead.
• Monday 15^th – After the excitement of Canada’s first gold medal on home soil, the nation turned to Men’s snowboard cross to find another medal. Canada’s four man team performs well, capped off with Mike Robertson’s heartbreaking finish in the final heat of the day. Robertson held the lead for the majority of the race, but was caught on one of the final turns of the course, winning the Silver medal. That night at Malone’s pub, we play pool and meet many other Canadians taking in the Olympic atmosphere. Later, my friends and I met two of the funniest Australians I’ll ever meet, who we thoroughly debated with over the local boy turned enemy Dale Begg-Smith.
• Tuesday 16^th – Finally, after enjoying an appetizer of sporting events before Tuesday, it was finally the day to see the Canadian Men’s Team take action. After a first intermission of analysis and questions of the Canadian offence, the 2^nd an 3^rd periods provided Canadian Fans and media members alike with an explosive offensive statement, declaring that Canada’s scoring will not be a problem in the tournament. Canada 8 – Norway 0. At night, we enjoy the victory at Forum, dancing with Slovakian friends, and more Australian party goers.
• Wednesday 17^th – With the Canadian women on deck against the Swedish team in the afternoon, I decided to wander around the beautiful downtown morning in the sunshine, while others waited the SIX HOUR WAIT for the zip trek across Robson Square. Now that it is gone, I wish I too had done the zip trek, but six hours is just too much for my patience. At night, it was Shaun White’s amazing performance in Men’s halfpipe, destroying competition with his 1^st conservative run before upping the anty like any performer would in his final run, besting every run that day in what was a spectacular display of White’s talent and domination of the sport.
• Thursday 18^th – As friends come over from the island to celebrate the Olympics together, we fire up the BBQ on a beautiful February afternoon to watch the afternoon hockey game in style. The feast settles our stomachs for an upsetting 3-2 win for Team Canada over Team Switzerland. Sidney Crosby proved on his second shootout attempt that he is a force to be reckoned with in this tournament, wiring a wrist shot past Jonas Hiller after previously being fooled attempting to deke out the Swiss keeper. Christine Nesbett’s gold medal winning performance in Women’s 1000m speed skating was capped off by a huge final lap that shaved a half second off of her own pace time in order to slip under the lead time by .02 seconds, an amazing final push from the newest Canadian hero.
• Friday 19^th – Live Hockey! I am lucky enough to join my Dad at a Men’s hockey game; Czech Republic vs. Latvia. I have to give it up for both teams and all the fans inside Canada Hockey Place, it was electric. Some Czech athletes in the suite beside us taught us cheers from their own country, an interesting look into the culture of other nations’ fans, having grown up on a healthy dose of “Go Canada/Canucks Go”. While at the game, the small in house televisions show Mellissa Hollingsworth’s final run, an unfortunate ending to a promising day which saw her move from 2^nd to 5^th in her final run, after bumping the walls twice at the Whistler sliding centre. Later however, Jon Montgomery saves the day, winning the Gold Medal in Men’s Skeleton; his celebration was a scene straight out of Canadian beer hockey league’s everywhere. After flag waving and cheering at the sliding centre, Montgomery walked down to the Whistler Village, picking up a pitcher of beer on the way to add to the Canadian nostalgia.
• Saturday 20^th – As I take a day off from partying in Vancouver, I get time to watch more hockey with my family, including an amazing game between Swiss and Norwegian Men’s Teams, featuring the heroics or Tore Vikingstad, who potted a hat trick on his birthday.
• Sunday 21^st – Kristina Groves wins Silver in Women’s 1500m speed skating, however the big focus is on the much anticipated day of hockey, the Canada vs. USA showdown is the talk of the town, the lines at bars and restaurants everywhere were a sign of the importance of the game to the city, and fans everywhere. At Irish house, our friends and I enjoy the Irish food, music and of course, over priced beer. The game itself leaves us devastated after Ryan Kesler dove to poke the puck into an empty Canadian net, ending the game and crushing the hopes of Canadians everywhere still hanging on for a comeback. After the game, we did the best we could to enjoy the night, dancing and singing the night away in between difficult conversations with American fans who I acknowledged won fair and square, but I promised we would face again.
• Monday 22^nd – Canadian pairs Ice Dancing tandem of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir throw down an amazing skate, winning the Gold Medal for Canada and simultaneously giving Ice Dance a legitimate spot in my heart. I am also starting to realize that Canadians have some of the most beautiful female athletes in the world. God Bless You Tessa Virtue.
• Tuesday 23^rd – It’s do or die day for Canada, as they took on Germany in the men’s qualification round. Full of anger and resolve, Team Canada didn’t disappoint by dominating the Germans in almost every facet of the game in a decisive 8-2 victory. Suddenly there seems to be faith in the team again throughout the city, overcoming the doubters who sounded off after losing to the U.S. earlier. The country eagerly awaits the next game, looking ahead to a showdown against the Russians. Even Canada Hockey Place can be heard shouting “Bring on Russia” during the late stages of the game. Suddenly the country, and the hockey team, have their swagger back.
• Wednesday 24^th – The anticipated gold medal matchup of Canada vs. Russia comes early in the men’s quarterfinal, an epic knockout game that can make or break the success of the whole tournament. With one of its most impressive physical games team Canada has ever iced, team Canada jumped all over the smaller Russian squad in order to jump out to an early 4-0 lead in the first period. Team Canada never looked back, again winning 8-2. Just after the game ended and the party was about to begin, Team Canada Women’s Bobsled team crashed the party, and the podium, claiming both the Gold AND Silver medals with both Canadian crews, setting off a celebration for the ages in the streets of Vancouver. By this time, the whole city has realized that it isn’t necessary to find a club or bar to party the night away at, the party downtown and on the streets is its own venue.
• Thursday 25^th – It’s a big night for Canadian women, as the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team won their awaited duel with their rival American Squad. The early 2-0 Canadian lead built by Marie-Philip Poulin would stand to win the game, giving Canada a taste of Gold on ice days before the men could do battle for Gold at Canada Hockey Place. As a last celebration for players, the Women took to the ice after Canada Hockey Place had been cleared and just hung out, like kids after they had won their regional tournament, just sitting on the ice and enjoying the moment with a beer among friends, is there anything more Canadian? While athletes are constantly under the eye of impressionable children, celebrations are off limits in my books, the Team didn’t walk down Granville with Cigars and open beer, (That’s the norm anyways, although the Cigar is otherwise represented) they celebrated in private with the team, and of course some photographers to provide us with a slideshow of the celebration. So I’m completely in favour of Team Canada partying the night away on Canada Place Ice, after four years and hard work and anticipation they earned it. “Stogies, Why Not!” Thank you, John Beckwith Owen Wilson.
• Friday 26^th – It is a huge day for Canada as we begin the closing weekend with Gold Medals in Men’s Short Track 500m and Men’s Short Track 5000m Relay. Charles Hamelin had an especially big day, winning the individual 500m title, moving on to win the four man relay along with his Brother Francois Hamelin, and fellow teammates Olivier Jean and Francois-Louis Tremblay who also claimed a bronze medal behind Hamelin in the 500m. In Women’s curling, skip Cheryl Bernard lead the Canadian Women’s team to a silver medal, falling short to Team Sweden in an extra end. After all the afternoon success, the collective outlook on the evening’s hockey game was positive, fuelled by eager anticipation of seeing Team Canada in the gold medal game. After an intense game, which was too close for my comfort the entire night, Canada held on to a 3-2 lead and finally had its birth into the finals. In the dying seconds, Roberto Luongo made the save of the tournament, stopping NHL teammate Pavol Demitra in order to keep the lead and move his team on to a shot at Gold.
• Saturday 27^th – After Friday’s gold rush, it was hard to imagine Canada had more left in the tank on the final Saturday. Amazingly, three more Gold Medals were won on the final full day of competition, vaulting Canada up the medal count leaderboard, especially when counting Gold’s. In speed skating, Canadian Men’s Team Pursuit foursome brought home Gold, followed by impressive performances on the mountain and the curling rink, as Jasey Jay Anderson and Kevin Martin won Gold in Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom and curling respectfully. Vancouver was again partying in the streets, ready to carry the party all the way through the night towards the noon start time of the Gold Medal hockey game.
• Sunday 28^th – I woke up at 9am to a cell phone call from a friend, and he just told me to turn on the news and look at the lines. Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, anywhere with a liquor license, television and seating had a line-up to get it. Some of them weren’t even open yet, some were already at capacity, but EVERYONE was lining up to see the game. After a short bus ride, my friends and I saw for ourselves the mob of Canadian fans that had lined the streets, coffee in hand, waiting for history to unfold before them in a few hours time. After battling the lines and running through a variety of scenarios in which we could find a good spot downtown, we decided to go old school, and watch the game from the comfort of our friend’s home in Kitsilano. With a beer in one hand and breakfast in the other, we sat down and watched the most exciting, intense, and important hockey game the world may have ever seen. It was only fitting that not only would the game take extra time, but that Sidney Crosby, golden child of Team Canada, would score the winning goal, ending the game and setting off the biggest party the nation has ever seen, all in one swift flick of the wrist. Crosby came through for Canada, and within seconds the streets were lined with red, white and gold. From the moment the game ended until early morning the next morning, the streets were filled with the sounds of honking cards, cheering fans, and screaming partiers, all celebrating the perfect ending to two weeks of outstanding athletic competition.

After an Olympic Games that began with tragedy, poor weather, and early disappointment from Canadian Athletes, the games grew into not only a celebration of personal achievement, but a celebration of a Country as a whole; our history, our identity, our passion, our game.

It wasn’t until late Sunday night that I realized what the games are all about, as I was reflecting on the night so far at a downtown bar. The Olympics are about bringing together the world in celebration of our common passion for sport. From the passion of Canadian Hockey fans to the determination of Ghana’s “Snow Leopard” Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong who is a one man Olympic Team, competing for Ghana in the winter Olympics after only learning how to ski six years ago on artificial snow. Athletes from all over the world, from all walks of life, came together to compete in friendly competition all for the glory of themselves, their country, and the games. The many rivals, storylines, politics, controversies, and other events surrounding the games are only a small aspect of what is the greatest sporting event in the world.

It took a couple of the stars of the afternoon’s game on closing Sunday for me to come to this realization. As a couple players and family members of Team Canada strolled into the same bar I partied at on Sunday, I realized that for some family’s this game is the greatest achievement of their entire lives, a life of early practices, power skating and open skates in order to succeed in the biggest game of their life. It wasn’t the star power of a couple players walking into the bar that struck me, but the sight of a much older man making his way through the crowd that made my mind wander. After realizing this man was a father of a Team Canada player and gold medal winner I immediately congratulated him on his son’s success as well as his own success as a father. It was then that the amazing joy in this stranger’s eyes said to me “this is what it means to be Canadian”.

Later in the night in passing around the bar I found the same joy and honest pride in other strangers. It is hard to really understand the person behind the microphone at times when we see television personalities daily from your living room, however one media member who was happy enough to share a drink with my friends and I put it simply “What a night eh boys”. The honesty and sincerity of his voice said it all, this was a night of a lifetime and there was nothing that could be taken away from it.

Olympic athletes, family members, media members, and the people of Vancouver all came together to celebrate the greatest two weeks Vancouver has ever seen, punctuated by a day of athletic triumph and celebration that will go down in history as one of the most important games in Canadian history; It will be relived and re-told by everyone who witnessed the games for years to come. The experience has been burned into the hearts and minds of every Canadian who was touched by these games, I for one am proud to say that I am Canadian, and I was there.