Originally published on My Life Is Like A Song on January 28, 2012
I spent quite a bit of time this weekend watching the Winter X Games. The 2012 Winter X Games are dedicated to the memory of Sarah Burke. They prepared a beautiful video which includes Thursday night's glowstick descent down the halfpipe by her fellow Winter X Games competitors.
My daughter is thinking of writing her school speech about her. Sarah's impact has reached even further than skiing.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Athlete Profile: Simon Whitfield
Event: Triathlon
Simon's website and blog:
www.simonwhitfield.com
www.whatmyphonesaw.com
Simon's twitter: @simonwhitfield
Simon's twitter: @simonwhitfield
Book: Simon Says Gold
Olympic results in triathlon:
2000 Sydney - gold
2004 Athens - 11th
2008 Beijing - silver
Flag bearer for Canada at the Closing Ceremonies of the 2000 Olympic Games.
One of the first torchbearers for the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay when it began in Victoria.
Simon Whitfield won his 10th national championships in August 2011.
Simon was nominated by Triathlon Canada for selection to the 2012 Olympic team.
Written on August 22nd, 2008
Olympic Memorable Moments (Part 1) (excerpt)
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't 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 (from Australia so late at night in Toronto).
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 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?
posted on February 17, 2010
Victoria Highlights (excerpt)
My hosts/tourist guides recommended going to Mile 0 to see the Terry Fox Statue and to go to the Frontrunners store because it has a Simon Whitfield jersey on display (as well as a Steve Nash jersey that my host forgot to mention...hello???) Ok, perhaps not your typical tourist stops in Victoria, but perfect stops for me.
As I approach the Terry Fox statue in Victoria, ... a very friendly man wearing a Terry Fox t-shirt strikes up a conversation, wondering where I'm from. The conversation finally gets to him as I ask him why he's wearing a Terry Fox t-shirt (and there is a television camera man there interviewing him).
It turns out that he is Rob Reid, the owner of Frontrunners, the store I was planning on visiting. He was the driving force to have the Terry Fox statue erected in Victoria.
[a little later] I end up at Frontrunners. I locate Simon Whitfield and Steve Nash's jerseys and ask permission to take photos.
I had so much fun in the store. I was like a kid in a candy store. Who needs a museum when you have Frontrunners?
The staff were amazing and completely indulged me in my enthusiasm.
The store also displayed Simon Whitfield's autographed jacket from the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and his running shoes.
(I bought quite a few items that day, including Simon Whitfield's book "Simon Says Gold")
2004 Athens - 11th
2008 Beijing - silver
Flag bearer for Canada at the Closing Ceremonies of the 2000 Olympic Games.
One of the first torchbearers for the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay when it began in Victoria.
Simon Whitfield won his 10th national championships in August 2011.
Simon was nominated by Triathlon Canada for selection to the 2012 Olympic team.
Written on August 22nd, 2008
Olympic Memorable Moments (Part 1) (excerpt)
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't 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 (from Australia so late at night in Toronto).
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 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?
posted on February 17, 2010
Victoria Highlights (excerpt)
My hosts/tourist guides recommended going to Mile 0 to see the Terry Fox Statue and to go to the Frontrunners store because it has a Simon Whitfield jersey on display (as well as a Steve Nash jersey that my host forgot to mention...hello???) Ok, perhaps not your typical tourist stops in Victoria, but perfect stops for me.
As I approach the Terry Fox statue in Victoria, ... a very friendly man wearing a Terry Fox t-shirt strikes up a conversation, wondering where I'm from. The conversation finally gets to him as I ask him why he's wearing a Terry Fox t-shirt (and there is a television camera man there interviewing him).
It turns out that he is Rob Reid, the owner of Frontrunners, the store I was planning on visiting. He was the driving force to have the Terry Fox statue erected in Victoria.
[a little later] I end up at Frontrunners. I locate Simon Whitfield and Steve Nash's jerseys and ask permission to take photos.
I had so much fun in the store. I was like a kid in a candy store. Who needs a museum when you have Frontrunners?
The staff were amazing and completely indulged me in my enthusiasm.
The store also displayed Simon Whitfield's autographed jacket from the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and his running shoes.
(I bought quite a few items that day, including Simon Whitfield's book "Simon Says Gold")
Monday, January 9, 2012
200 Days until London 2012!
There are 200 days to go until the start of the Summer Olympics in London.
I am so excited to see who will qualify for Canada and especially who will be our flag bearer.
I love that the internet and multiple sports channels these days allow us to follow our athletes as they strive to make the Olympic team. There is more coverage than there used to be and I look forward to the next 200 days, and beyond.
I am so excited to see who will qualify for Canada and especially who will be our flag bearer.
I love that the internet and multiple sports channels these days allow us to follow our athletes as they strive to make the Olympic team. There is more coverage than there used to be and I look forward to the next 200 days, and beyond.
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