Joannie Rochette Avec Coeur Et Passion

Joannie Rochette was on the television program Tout Le Monde En Parle this week. She is releasing a new DVD entitled Avec Coeur et Passion (With Heart and Passion) which is an exercise video meant for the young and old, beginner and advanced. She calls her DVD an exercise programme for "monsieur et madame tout le monde" (mr and mrs everybody).

Her mother Thérèse died of a heart attack a few days before Joannie was to perform at the Olympic Games in 2010. Joannie went on to win a bronze medal in figure skating. She relived those days in the interview which was very touching explaining how her personal life came to meet up with her professional life.

She explained on the programme that her mother although seemingly in good health, did not exercise. She says that lack of exercise is one of the main reasons why people suffer heart attacks.

Her mother's death inspired her to do something. She explained that starting an exercise regime is not an easy thing and that her mother didn't know where to start. This DVD is Joannie's way of reaching others to get physically active and hopefully live a healthier life.

Proceeds of the DVD are going to iheartmom (mamandemoncoeur), Joannie' Heart Your Health Campaign associated with University of Ottawa Heart Institute. In a clip on the site, Joannie says "my mom's heart was always in the right place, I just wish she would have taken better care of it."

Here is the Tout Le Monde En Parle segment in case you would like to see it:

Simon Whitfield and Paula Findlay

Triathlon Canada nominated Simon Whitfield and Paula Findlay to the Canadian Olympic Committee to be named to the 2012 Olympic team.

Simon has been my favourite triathlete since winning gold at the first Olympic triathlon race at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. He was Canada's flagbearer at the Closing Ceremonies. I have often written about Simon Whitfield on this blog (you can see those posts by typing his name in the search bar at the top left) or click here to read about my excitement seeing his jersey at the Victoria Front Runners store.

In 2008, Simon won a fantastic silver medal. Now 36 years old, he is the veteran of the triathlon team and I will be so excited to see him compete in his 4th Olympic Games. I'm hoping that Brent McMahon and Kyle Jones will join him on the team by qualifying next year. They were 3rd and 4th at the Pan Am Games (a 1st place finish was needed to qualify for London).

At 22 years old Paula Findlay is the future of Canada's triathlon team. In 2010 she was the surprise winner of the World Championship series event at the London Olympic course. She won on the world stage another 4 times before injuring her hip this past summer.

By being selected on the team, Simon and Paula can now concentrate on peaking at the Olympics rather than training for qualifying events.

Pan Am Games

The Pan-Am Games held in Guadalajara, Mexico ended yesterday.

What this means is that Toronto is now the official Pan-Am Games host. At the closing ceremonies (that I watched today), the Pan-Am flag was passed to our city.

There was a beautiful rendition of O Canada performed by Quebec artist Florence K followed by an eight minute dance and acrobatic performance to showcase Canada as the next host.

Eight athletes (or teams) earned a spot for Canada at the London 2012 Olympics by winning gold according to a news report. However, I am counting nine. Either one of these had already qualified or one is there in error. The ones I am seeing include :

• Closing Ceremonies flag bearer Mary Spencer in women's boxing
• Ryan Cochrane and Hughes Fournel in 200m kayak (K2)
• Steven Joren and Richard Dober in 1000m kayak (K2)
• women's kayak 500m (K4)
• Richard Dalton in canoeing (C1 200m)
• synchronized swimming team
• synchronized swimming duet of Elise Marcotte and Marie-Pier Boudreau Gagnon
• Zhang Mo in table tennis
• Dorothy Ludwig in shooting

[The kayak/canoe Olympic spots are for the team and not the racers from the Pan Am Games]

Other highlights from the games included a gold medal by world #1 ranked Dylan Armstrong in the shotput.

Led by Opening Ceremonies flagbearer, Christine Sinclair, the women's soccer team won gold beating Brazil in the final.

Canada won gold in men's baseball beating the U.S. in the final. Unfortunately, baseball is no longer an Olympic sport so this was our team's Olympics.

Richard Weinberger won the 10k swimming marathon. He won the test event in London this summer but still hasn't qualified for London 2012 (the qualifying race had been the previous month). He'll hopefully qualify in June in Portugal at the final Olympic qualifying event.

Carol Huynh won the gold medal in wrestling. I will never forget her reaction to O Canada at the 2008 Olympics when she won Canada's first (of three) gold medals at the Games.



Although I didn't watch as much of the Pan-Am games as I would have liked mostly because I'm not used to watching "television" on my computer yet (not much television coverage), I am still excited about Toronto (and surrounding cities) hosting the 2015 Pan Am Games. Hopefully tickets will be fairly affordable so that I can attend a few different events.

Reid Coolsaet and Eric Gillis - 2012 Olympians

Last year I went downtown to watch the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. You can read my blog post and see photos here.

This year, I watched it on television. It's quite different to being there. Nothing beats the excitement of seeing an event in person, but seeing it on television gives you the benefit of following the leaders throughout the race. When one of your favourites is with the leaders, it's a bonus.

Reid Coolsaet was in the lead pack throughout the race. Eric Gillis and Dylan Wykes were not far behind. All three were trying to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. Reid had already reached the tougher Canadian standard last year, so all he had to do to qualify was reach the international standard of 2 hours 15 minutes. Eric and Dylan needed to beat the Canadian standard of 2:11:29.

Canada (with its tough standard) hasn't sent a marathoner since 2000.

It was an exciting race as runner after runner (including the pacers) left the front pack leaving a group of 3 that included Reid Coolsaet. After briefly taking the lead, the wind on the way back west in the last 7 kilometers proved to be too much for Reid. The Canadian record would not be broken, but he would post his personal best of 2:10:55 finishing 3rd. He waited, watched and cheered as Eric came running towards the finish line in 4th, just beating the Canadian standard by one second. Dylan finished in 6th with a time of 2:12:56. He kept up with Eric for most of the race. In a post race interview, he is confident that he'll be able to make up the difference and qualify as well. Wishing him luck.

For now, two Canadians have qualified for the 2012 London marathon.

Bud Greenspan Presents

I was checking The Movie Network on demand to see if there was anything worth watching. I found a documentary about the 2010 Vancouver Olympics:

Bud Greenspan Presents: Vancouver 2010 Stories of Olympic Glory

What a treat. Being the Olympic fan that I am, I was surprised that I hadn't heard about it before. I thought it was a Canadian film but it's American.

I watched this film that included some amazing stories.

It started with the women's moguls. Jennifer Heil attempting (and failing) to win Canada's first medal. They told the story from Jennifer's perspective as well as the gold medal winner Hannah Kearney from the United States. It was told well enough that I still thought it was a Canadian documentary.

Other great stories included:

• Canadian Clara Hughes who won her 6th Olympic medal competing in winter and summer Olympics.
• The Chinese pairs figure skaters (3 pairs in the top 4)
• Petra Majdic the cross-country skier who won a bronze medal with five broken ribs and a collapsed lung.
• The American nordic ski team who became the first Americans to win a medal in their sport and left Vancouver with four medals.
• women's and men's ice hockey

The stories included interviews with the athletes looking back on their challenges and achievements. It was wonderful to be brought back and see highlights from the games including the opening and closing ceremonies.

Sadly, I learned afterwards that Bud Greenspan (who has directed numerous Olympic films) passed away in December 2010. This was his last documentary.

Road Cycling World Championships

I've been watching the Road Cycling World Championships this weekend. The women raced yesterday. Canadian Olympic Icon Clara Hughes gave us something to cheer about when she broke from the pack and increased her lead to 45 seconds with 10 km to go in the 140 km race. Unfortunately, she didn't have enough steam to take herself to the end and the pack caught her.

The men raced today. The British team led the peloton for most of the time that I watched with the hopes that Mark Cavendish would win the sprint at the end. They caught the leaders in the final pack. As the peloton approached the finish line after racing for 5 hours and 40 minutes, Mark Cavendish sprinted for the win; just like he often did at The Tour de France.

If Canada is not in the running for a medal at the London Olympics, I hope the British team will do it again!

Mazda Canoe Kayak Knockout

The Canadian Canoe and Kayak team was in Toronto to compete in the Mazda Canoe Kayak Knockout event yesterday.

It is such a fun event. They really should promote it better. The only reason I knew about it was because I went to the Canoe Kayak Canada website to see the schedule of events having learned of this event after the fact last year. I didn't want to miss my chance at seeing Adam van Koeverden race this year.

The event has a Facebook Page and Twitter account, but they're not updated very often. It's sad because this was a wonderful opportunity to see our national team up close heading into the London 2012 Olympics. There was also an autograph session where you could meet each member of the national team.

The events included Men's K-1, Women's K-1, Men's C-1, Women's C-1, Paracanoe and junior K1 and junior C1. Team members who would normally race K-2 or C-2 were racing on their own.

Each event would have multiple races. After each race, the slowest competitors are knocked out. Although the races are 200m (and so a sprint), there is strategy involved to try to ensure the racer doesn't get knocked out, and at the same time maintains enough energy for the following races.

The men's K1 had the most competitors starting with 39.

The top 18 moved on after the first race. In the third race, the top 14 moved on followed by the top 10 and the top 6. There were plenty of opportunities to see our favourites race and get different viewpoints.

After qualifying, the racers would paddle back to the starting line passing right by the spectators which allowed some great photos to be taken.

(Ian Mortimer)

Although Adam van Koeverden is the reason I went, I was excited to see the rest of the Canadian team including:

Mark Oldershaw

Mark de Jonge

Richard Dalton

19 year old World Champion Laurence Vincent-Lapointe

up and coming Juniors including Etienne Beauchesne:

and many more.

Results:
Men's Kayak
1. Mark de Jonge
2. Richard Dober
3. Ryan Cochrane

Women's Kayak
1. Kathleen Carole Fraser
2. Genny Orton
3. Mylanie Barre

Men's Canoe
1. Richard Dalton
2. Gabriel Beauchesne-Sevigny
3. Andrew Russell

Women's Canoe
1. Laurence Vincent-Lapointe
2. Mallorie Nicholson
3. Taylor Potts

Can't wait for London 2012!!

Don't blame Steve Nash!

I wanted to see the Canadian basketball team qualify for the London 2012 Olympics like every other Canadian Olympic fan or Canadian basketball fan.

As I watched the dying seconds of their loss to Panama, my heart went out to the team. Winning that game did not mean that they were going to the Olympics there was still a long road ahead. The loss meant that the dream was over. At the time, a lot of thoughts went through my head but the last thing I thought of was blaming Steve Nash.

I was shocked to read Steve Buffery's article entitled Thanks a Lot, Nash! I chalked it up to a sports writer who didn't do proper research, preferring to check Steve Nash's tweets in the last couple of months instead of checking Steve Nash's history. I also imagined he was just looking for a reaction. I wasn't going to give him one.

This morning, I saw an article written by Michael Grange for Sportsnet entitled Same Old Story also blaming Steve Nash along with other NBA players by declaring "Until our players truly want to play for Canada, the basketball program will continue to suffer."

I couldn't keep quiet when another sports writer was pointing the finger at Steve Nash.

Twelve teams qualify for the Olympics, we are ranked twenty third. We lost to #28 ranked Panama. Are these sport writers suggesting that Canada should upset higher ranked teams, but no one should upset Canada?

The writers I imagine are assuming that our ranking wouldn't be #23 if Steve Nash was playing. I won't argue that point, but in 2003 Steve Nash played for Team Canada and they failed to qualify for the 2004 Olympics.

Having Steve on the team is not an automatic berth to the Olympics.

Buffery says that a hockey player would be vilified for not playing for Canada and so thinks we should vilify Steve Nash. This is like comparing apples to oranges. Canadian hockey players don't have to qualify for the Olympics. Their standing at the World Championships automatically qualifies them. The Olympics are held during the NHL season. The hockey players don't give up their summers to represent their country.

When Steve helped Team Canada achieve "Mission Impossible" to qualify for the 2000 Olympics, they upset much higher ranked teams. By winning their group at the Olympics, they upset even better teams. Being ranked higher in the quarter finals, they lost. Yesterday, Canada was ranked higher on paper, but lost on the court. This is what sport is about.

After the 2000 Olympics, Steve Nash said "Hopefully kids [in Canada] will be inspired to play. That's what I really hope."

This was more than 10 years ago. Where are those kids now? Where are the sports programs and sponsorships to help those kids become the next Steve Nash? The flame has passed. Steve Nash is 37 years old and the 6th oldest active NBA player. He's not the one we should look at to get us to the Olympics Games. He's been there, done that! And did us proud!

He has often talked about the toll playing at the highest level has on his body, especially with the style of play that he and his team play. He understands his body and knows its limits. He chose to allow his body to recover in between NBA seasons. Perhaps if he was a hockey player, he would still be representing his country. He's not.

Steve Nash has made Canada proud. He spent 10 of 12 summers playing for Canada between 1991 and 2003. He helped us qualify for the 2000 Olympics. He got Canada excited about basketball. He lit the Olympic cauldron at the 2010 Olympics. That is the thanks he deserves; not those articles.

Sports writers, feel free to point your finger here or there to explain why Canada's basketball team failed to qualify for the 2012 Olympics, but don't point it at Steve Nash!

Triathlon Olympic Trials

London is hosting a World Championship triathlon this weekend in Hyde Park where athletes have the opportunity to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games.

From the London 2012 website, this is the description of the course:

At London 2012, the Triathlon will begin and end in Hyde Park. The events will begin with a 1,500m swim in the Serpentine; continue with a seven-lap, 40km bike ride around a course that takes in Buckingham Palace and the Wellington Arch; and end with a four-lap, 10km run around the Serpentine to the finish.

CBC Canada will be televising (same day tape delayed) the women's race today August 6th from 3-4:30pm and the men's race tomorrow August 7th from 2-4pm. The races can be seen live on the CBC website in the morning.

Paula Findlay is Canada's new triathlon phenom. Last month she withdrew from her home race in Edmonton at the last moment when she felt a twinge in her quad. She's still not 100% but hopefully she will be in the top 8 today which would qualify her for London 2012.

The men's race will feature Simon Whitfield who won gold at the 2000 Olympics and silver at the 2008 Olympics. London would be his fourth Olympics.

Upcoming events:

Canadian National Championships in Kelowna August 20-21

Grand Final in World Championships in Beijing September 10-11

FINA World Aquatic Championships 2011

The Aquatics Championships are being held this week.

Schedule:

Diving: July 16-24

Synchro: July 17-23

Swimming (Open Water): July 19-July 23

Swimming: July 24-31

Water Polo: July 17-30

In Canada, CBC is showing a highlights show every evening at 11:30pm. Highlights can also be seen on their website www.cbc.ca

Marketing’s next big thing? Sports sponsorships

from The Globe and Mail Thursday June 17th, 2011

Last week’s Sports Marketing Conference in Toronto attracted a number of communications and marketing professionals looking for the next big thing to get their company names out there.

There was a full lineup of experts showcasing the latest sponsorship strategies and marketing tactics that are being deployed by some of Canada’s biggest firms. But one story really stood out. And as a small-business owner, it made me think about sports sponsorship in a whole new way.

Gold-medal-winning Olympic sprint kayaker Adam van Koeverden spoke from the perspective of an athlete. The Oakville, Ont.-born champ talked extensively about the role small businesses can play in making an impact on the lives of Canadian Olympic athletes.

Mr. Van Koeverden discussed his relationship with The Running Company, a small business in downtown Oakville that has supported him since he was a 15-year-old junior.

“People have to realize that most athletes have no money, no equipment and no support,” Greg McKinnon, owner of the store, recalls about building the relationship. “We stepped in early on and began providing Adam with shoes that he needed as part of his training program. There were times when he would need to move equipment so we would lend him the company truck to save him the cost of renting one.”

Mr. McKinnon is quick to point out that he has no expectation of a return on investment. He says he believes that providing shoes and introducing athletes to shoe manufacturers is simply part of making The Running Company a good corporate citizen. He does, however, take great pride in the photographs of Mr. Van Koeverden that hang in the store as well as the drop-ins made by athletes, which allows Mr. McKinnon to introduce them to his customers.

You can still find The Running Company logo on Mr. Van Koeverden’s apparel and on his promotional materials, alongside the logos of much larger corporate sponsors that have stepped up to support him.

It is a great example of a grassroots sponsorship that, because of strong personal relationships and its authentic nature, has endured and created a win-win program for the brand and the athlete.

Mr. Van Koeverden encourages businesses and brands considering a larger sponsorship to explore legacy programs that extend far beyond the short time frame in which an athlete is competing as an Olympian.

Big businesses spend a lot of time and money negotiating Olympic sponsorships. Sports-related sponsorships benefit the participating company through brand recognition and credibility, while providing financial support for athletes. Smart brands extend those sponsorships with longer-term commitments and athlete engagement after the excitement of the Games winds down.

For example, a construction or lumber company could consider a sponsorship that includes building new docks for a kayak or rowing training facility, rather than a one-time cash donation to a specific athlete. The legacy – a benefit to athletes in subsequent years – is not lost on many other countries around the world. There are countless stories of the superior training facilities built by sponsor programs in South America and throughout Europe.

Sponsoring an amateur sports team in a community can demonstrate your civic pride and illustrate your commitment to giving back. Search for a local sports team without a sponsor, and drive media coverage based on your support. Sponsor a promising athlete in the community and use social media to track his or her progress. Local sponsorship initiatives build a brand’s reputation, and create a favourable perception among consumers.

As Mr. McKinnon points out, there is a special pride in making a commitment to Canadian athletes.

“It is great getting to know these athletes early on and watching them grow and win. I sometimes find myself looking up at Adam’s photo and wondering where in the world he is today: training, competing and representing Canada.”

Kayak Competitions

Great Source for Adam van Koeverden's schedule and results: www.canoekayak.ca

photos and blog: www.vankayak.com

World Cup #3 May 27-29, 2011

Duisburg, Germany

http://www.kanuduisburg.de/cms/

• Silver in 1000m
• Silver in 500m

"I had a good race today in the 1000m final. Rene Poulsen (DEN) was the weltcupmeister with a fast 3:27, I finished a close 2nd also in 3:27... Eirik "2nd-half" Veraas Larsen made a late charge for the bronze. Good Battle Fellas!!"

from www.vankayak.com

World Cup #2 May 21-22, 2011

Racice, Cze

http://www.racice2011.com/

• 4th in 1000m
• 2nd in 5000m

"I had a really good race, but I came in 4th place. I wanted to practice something different, and it went really well, so I'm stoked and ready to race Duisburg next week!"

from www.vankayak.com