I will write about my Canadian moments for now. I am saving up my international highlights for next week.
So here goes:
Carol Huynh (wrestling gold) on the podium - when she put her hand over her mouth - overwhelmed by emotion.
"and the anthem all Canadians have been waiting to hear"
This is one of my most vivid memories of the Olympics.
A hand on the face going from ecstasy to agony.
(not my photo)
When I saw this reaction by Adam van Koeverden this morning, I wanted to cry. I woke up one morning this week relieved that I had only dreamed that he didn't win a medal in his race (seriously, I did). I thought it was inconceivable for him to not win two medals. I was in shock as I watched him fade at the end of his race. You could feel his pain and dejection as he was interviewed afterwards. He wore his heart on his sleeve especially when he looked in the camera and said "I'm sorry". This is one of the moments in this Olympics that has brought very strong emotions in me. There were such high hopes for him. He was one of our biggest hopes for medals. He knew it. The country knew it. I thought he could win a medal in his sleep (but would have to be awake for gold). Hopefully he puts it behind him and wins gold tomorrow in the 500. I refuse to believe in the flagbearer curse.
Another memorable moment for me was watching the gutsy run by Simon Whitfield in the triathlon. Man, as optomistic as I like to be, I thought he was done (a number of times) but especially when three runners start to pull away from him near the end. The commentator says that Simon had just said the other day that he did not want to be 4th. I'm thinking...ahh man - there isn't even anyone around to pass him so he can be 5th...lol.
Then, I see him throw his hat down. My first reaction is that he's annoyed that he's going to be 4th (has nothing left in the tank) or he's p*$#'d off and decides to go for it...ok, I was a little dramatic - perhaps he always takes his hat off for his final sprint, but that image is ingrained in my brain of seeing him throw his hat. Unfortunately, only those watching in HD could see this. I was recording in non-HD and it's not visible, so I'm glad I watched it live.
So I go from thinking he won't get a medal to thinking he's got it, he's going to win gold, to the final realization that he wins the silver...so moving...so exciting...what a roller coaster ride...definitely a highlight.
To see the video (although not in HD so you don't see him toss his hat) go to http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/ondemand/ You have to scroll to "day 11 triathlon highlights". It's at the 5 minute mark. [video no longer exists]
To add to the triathlon excitement, was to see Colin Jenkins finish the triathlon...jumping up and down like if he was the one who won a medal. What a great teammate. He was instrumental in Simon winning the medal (well, instrumental in ensuring he didn't lose it).
Actually Simon said something very interesting. The choice of Jenkins to the Olympic team was criticized in the media because he wasn't our 3rd fastest. He was chosen to help Simon in the first two legs (by staying near the front and keeping an eye on athletes who would make a charge and run away from the pack and letting Simon know). Then, at the Olympics, the media complains that Canada is not winning enough medals. So should we have sent 3 triathlon athletes to compete individually and none win a medal or should we have sent someone to help our best hope to win a medal?
Ryan Cochrane...winning our only swimming medal in the 1500m when we thought Canada's hopes of a swimming medal were over. Hadn't I read a few days earlier that Mike Brown had been our last hope at a swimming medal (when he finished 4th)?
Donovan Bailey's excitement about Usain Bolt. Can't help but smile when he's talking about him.
Ron McLean explaining that his mother passed away two hours earlier and that he's going home. He spoke so eloquently and my heart went out to him.
Luan Jujie...such an inspiring story of a 50 year old returning to her native China to compete for Canada...her adopted country (and winning one of her matches in fencing).
Ian Millar finally winning a medal in show jumping (after 9 Olympics) only a few months after his wife has passed away.
The determination and sheer grit of the men's 8 in rowing. When they received their gold medals, they showed such passion singing the national anthem (especially Adam Kreek) that Simon Whitfield wrote Sing Like Kreek on the handlebars of his bike.
Later edit: I found the video of O Canada.
Of the Olympics that I have seen, these have been my Canadian memorable moments so far. What about you?
You can read part two here.
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