Go World: Team VISA’s Brent Hayden
byLondon has done quite an admirable job with the Summer Olympics so far and it’s been heartwarming to hear all the cheers for Canada echoing from the venues. Back at home, friends, family, and spectators are gathering at homes, pubs, and restaurants to support Team Canada from afar. There’s just one week left at the Games of the 33rd Olympiad and Canadians have made quite a splash already.
Visa is currently sponsoring a handful of Canadian Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls (and some who have become champions already) as they have done for the last 26 years. One of their athletes is Mission, BC’s own Brent Hayden won bronze in the 100m freestyle last week. Shortly after Brent‘s triumphant swim, VISA issued the following congratulatory video billboard for their team member:
Back and shoulder issues continued to limit Hayden this year, but he was in great form on Wednesday, although he felt some tenderness in his back during the morning. “My back was not doing good today either,” said Hayden. “[I had] three spinal adjustments trying to get it to settle down.”
At the turn, he was second heading toward the finish. He admitted to feeling pain in the last final 25 metres although he didn’t show it. Hayden maintained his composure to edge two-time London gold medallist Yannick Agnel of France by 0.04th of a second to fulfill his Olympic dream.
[CBC News]
Shaved bald, tattooed with the superman symbol on his chest and the Olympic rings below the maple leaf on his back, this giant of a man from Mission, B.C. took the last shot at swimming glory he will ever have and made the most of it, fighting every stroke for a bronze medal in the race that crowns the fastest man in the water.
[Vancouver Sun]
You can continue to cheer on your Canadian athletes through Team VISA on Facebook and by using the tag #GoWorld on Twitter.
VISA Canada has also offered up a $250 pre-paid gift card to one lucky Miss604 reader to celebrate Canadians cheering for Canadians. Here’s how how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment naming your favourite London 2012 moment so far OR what you’re most looking forward to this week (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
One winner will drawn on Saturday, August 11 2012 at 12:00pm. I will have 4 Team VISA posts this week and will be collecting entries for the same, single prize on each. You may enter up to 4 times (once on each post) and all entries will be combined for a single random draw. Contest is open to all Canadians residents.
Update Gain another contest entry through the 2nd Team VISA post about Emilie Heymans.
Update The winner is Shannon Mac!
229 Comments — Comments Are Closed
Bolt’s gold medal run yesterday was pretty amazing!
My favourite moment was watching the Canadian Womens Synchronized swimming team today! Pure joy!
My favorite moment so far, is Canada’s gold medal win on the trampoline. A very close second goes to Brent Hayden.
Ryan Cochrane winning the silver medal!
My favourite moment in London so far was seeing Brent Hayden win the bronze medal. He has worked so long and hard to win an Olympic medal.
Usain Bolt’s gold medal win yesterday!
Glad to see Brent’s bronze, and excited to watch the Canadian women take on the Americans in the soccer semi. Go, Canada!!!
Canada winning Gold on the Trampoline was awesome
https://twitter.com/leanne_mac/status/232532196936781824
Our first gold of the games and hearing our anthem play!
Always exciting to watch Canada compete, but mostly when we win!
Hmm so many moments. I think watching the synchronized divers win bronze was pretty great! I just love the atmosphere. Everyone is putting their hearts out there!!
The men’s 100m was awesome! Usain Bolt is still the fastest man.
Brent Haydon winning bronze!
Easy! Gold in trampoline.
Can’t wait to see our Soccer team today in the semi-final against USA!
Interestingly enough my favourite Olympic moment so far was watching Brent Hayden win bronze. I found myself holding my breath the entire race and felt such pride on being Canadian after he fulfilled his Olympic dream!
Favourite moments so far have been the opening ceremonies – the music was spetacular – and seeing the women’s soccer team do so well.
So many great moments….
Michael Phelps in his final solo race.
I’m really looking forward to the closing ceremonies with all the famous Brit musicians!
I’m looking forward to the men’s triathlon! Go Simon!
Looking forward to Canada vs US in the women’s soccer semi
I love the opening ceremonies – all the pride and anticipation could make one burst
I love the opening and closing ceremonies. So much excitement and national pride!
Closing ceremonies!
Diving and closing ceremonies!
Bolt winning the 100. all smiles here
I love love watching the diving! All the swimming events are pretty awesome with the guys in the speedos!
The opening ceremony, and looking forward to the closing ceremony. Also seeing the shots of London swept up in Olympic fever. Reminds me of 2 years ago.
Mens’ gymnastics. It’s amazing how much power those guys have.
Canada vs United States in women’s soccer and the heartbreaking loss. Christine Sinclair is without a doubt the world’s best female soccer player!
Murray’s win over Federer. And the little boy in the stands who reached out to give him a hug.
The queen’s doppelganger jumping out of the helicopter in the opening ceremonies, for sure.
I’m looking forward to see Canada win more medals this week!
I loved the opening ceremonies! The closing ceremonies will be just as impressive, I am sure!
Loved watching the diving finals yesterday and today!
I loved watching Gabrielle Douglas win the All-Around. Usain Bolt & the entire 100M event was so dramatic.
Watching my cousin Tobias compete of course!
I’m looking forward to some more wins for Canada, and hopefully fair officiating!
winning our first gold in trampoline!
Watching Rosie MacLennan sit through 3 competitors, with the gold medal on the line – and her face when it was over!
Closing ceremonies!
I loved seeing the Queen take part with James Bond in the Opening Ceremonies sketch! Very very cool of her!
Seeing Micheal Phelps set the record for most medals by an olympic athlete was memorable
Watching Christine Sinclair score those goals!
I’m very excited for the closing ceremony!
tweeted 8/6 – https://twitter.com/luvx143/status/232621019423178752
Seeing Paula Findlay fight to the finish the race in the triathlon.
One of the highlights was watching Clara Hughes and seeing her optimism…so inspiring! I’ve really enjoyed watching the stories on The Difference Makers with Rick Hansen.
Fav moment so far was watching our Canadian women’s soccer team bump Team GB on their own turf. Go Canada!
Watching the Canadian Women’s Soccer team battle against the US was amazing! They should be very proud!
Bolt posing after his winning run
Christine Sinclair’s performance with the Canadian Women’s Soccer team
My favourite moment was Rosie Maclennan’s reaction when her score came up. She was close to swearing but stopped herself.
Gold in trampoline. So great!
Canada’s first gold medal win! Gotta love it 🙂
The men’s rowing!
Looking forward to mens diving with Alexandre Despatie
I am most looking forward to watching the closing ceremonies..love it,thanks!
ksceviour at hotmail dot com
There are many great Canadian moments during this year’s summer olympics.
It is difficult to choose one moment out of so many great Canadian moments;
but if I have to choose then I will say today/yesterday’s olympic football game between Canadian women’s team and USA women’s team. When Canada’s Christine Sinclair continued to score to put Canadian women’s soccer team in winning position, I was so proud of our Canadian team and Christine Sinclair. However, as they lose at the end due to unfair rulings from umpire, it was frustrating and upsetting for both players and audience. Nonetheless, I want to say, Canadian women’s football team did a great job and we are all proud of their performance 🙂
Usain Bolt’s gold medal win!
My favourite Olympics moment has to be the men’s and women’s 8 person rowing. Both races were well earned silvers and so close to gold!
Although they did not win the game, the Canadian women’s soccer game. WOW, what a game. So proud of our team!
Watching double amputee Oscar Pistorius run alongside the fastest 400m runners in the world.
I love Swimmer Michael Phelps’ gold medal races! Inspiring me to work hard to be the best! Dream, Plan, Reach is his motto. Love it!
So looking forward to the closing ceremony!
Andy Murray winning tennis gold over Roger Federer!
The hat trick Christine Sinclair pulled out for womens soccer was amazing!Absolutely stellar!
My favourite moment so far was the Opening Ceremony, especially the James Bond scene.
My favorite moment so far was the ENTIRE Women’s Soccer Semi-Final game between the USA and Canada. Wow! That’s the type of competition that the Olympics are all about. Controversy or not. Those athletes laid it all on the pitch for 120+ minutes!
my favorite moment was watching Canada vs USA women’s semis soccer
Brent Hayden getting the bronze in the 100m freestyle has been my favourite moment so far.
Loved watching the trampoline. So proud of Rosie MacLennan!!
Lots of great moments so far but I’ve been very happy watching Tara Whitten in the Omnium!
It was seeing mr bean in the opening ceremony.
I’m looking forward to running away with my husband this weekend!
Any moment starring Canadian hero Christine Sinclair!! What a fabulous role model she is for girls… and everyone!!
I’m looking forward to go fishing
Watching us win on the Trampoline!
https://twitter.com/xmd5/status/232848132629749761
Our women’s soccer team playing the US. We were so competive and it was such a close game.
Too many to pick just one! Oscar (Blade Runner) was such a gentleman – truly a class act! All the Canadian Athletes are amazing and we are so proud of them!
Anything diving! It is amazing how much they do in such a short amount of time!
There have been so many great Olympic moments so far. My favourite moment altogether would be when Phelps and the US men’s swim team won the gold for the 4×100 medley relay. It was exhilarating to see Phelps, such an amazing athlete, end his career on such a high note – not to mention that all of those men on the team are a treat for the eyes. =)
My favourite Canadian Olympic moment so far was when the Canadian rowing team won the silver. The look on their faces after they finished so strongly was fantastic!
The women’s soccer game Canada VS USA yesterday was incredible to watch with my daughter. They played with such heart and made me so proud!
I actually really loved Andy Murray’s victory over Federer, and also Usain Bolt’s moment. For Canada, Rosie MacLennan was a great moment, and the men’s 8 stunning turn-around to win the Silver in rowing.
Heck, there’s a great moment every day! 🙂
That’s why we watch ’em.
When James and Pistorious exchanged race bibs. That was such a beautiful moment, one of mutual respect and admiration. I will NEVER forget that moment. Pistorious is absolutely courageous!
Brent’s bronze medal
When we won our Gold in Trampoline! 😀
Brent Hayden winning his medal!
Hard to pick one. I think all the athletes, medal or no, are amazing and it’s been a joy to watch. Watching Ryan Cochrane win silver in the men’s 1500-metre freestyle was up there for sure.
That clean and jerk was wonderful
Rosie MacLennan!
I loved watching Canada USA in women’s soccer despite the bad call from the ref. great effort for Team Canada!
My favourite moment was the end of the women’s marathon
Is it bad that I haven’t seen anything Olympic related? Just really haven’t had time. lol
I am looking forward to see Adam van Koeverden race!
Canadian Womens Soccer…what a game!
I loved the Canadian and USA womens Soccer
Winning that gold medal in trampoline was pretty awesome!
The opening ceremonies were amazing – wish I had been there. Oh, and the women’s marathon.
Women’s soccer – go team!
Two words: Christine Sinclair!!
The women’s soccer game – Canada and USA was exciting!
I have to say, lots of good moments so far…but I have a sentimental spot for the Mr. Bean moment!
The track cycling was awesome, and even though we aren’t huge in gymnastics thats the event i remember most that the family would watch during summer olympics.
Christine Sinclair – she is the best!
Usain Bolt winning the men’s 100m sprint. Love his personality!
Favourite olympic moments so far are the medal wins by Canada and watching the swimming events.
The opening ceremonies were fantastic!
The Opening Ceremonies with the Queen’s fun arrival! Who would have thought she’d go for such a cool prank!
Usain Bolt winning the men’s 100m!
Seeing Brent Hayden win the bronze medal.
I am looking forward to Canada vs US in the women’s soccer semi
My favourite moment was bitter sweet.
Christine Sinclair scoring 3 goals against Team USA (they only had 2 goals against during these games coming up to the game) – In my opinion I think that was the Gold/Bronze medal game as the winner would win the gold and the loser the bronze.
Sadly Team Canada lost due to bad officiating and not being able keep control and possession of the ball!
Christine Sinclair’s hat trick during the match with the US was amazing! As was the trampoline gold, Brett’s bronze and oh oh oh oh soooooooo many others!!! AWESOME!!
The Queen getting escorted by none other than 007 James Bond (Daniel Craig… yum) in the Opening Ceremonies!
Michael Phelps breaking the Olympic record for the most medals!
All of the monents where you can see the emotion on the athletes faces when they realize they have won a metal are my favourite moments.
I loved the opening ceremonies
My favorite moment was watching Canada vs USA women’s soccer.
Christine Sinclair’s performance during the Cda vs USA match.
Anything diving!
The trampoline was my favourite!
Even though there were some bogus reffing calls, I really enjoyed watching the Canada VS US Women’s Soccer match yesterday
Looking forward to Canada’s Women’s Soccer going for Bronze!
usain bolts win in the 100m
Watching the Canadian women’s soccer team come so close and deserving to win against the USA team. I’m so proud of their effort and performance.
Watching Canada’s mens and women’s 8 win silver
Sinclair’s two header goals! That game should’ve been theirs!
Love seeing the Canadian Women soccer team kick butt yesterday!
Love seeing the opening ceremonies. Absolutely thrilling!
Canada’s gold in trampoline!
Seeing South Africa’s “Blade Runner” was neat, but I think Usain Bolt in the 100m was still the biggest moment so far… that or Sinclair’s hat trick.
Monday’s Women Soccer between Canada and the US. I was up on my feet whenever the Canadian goalie caught the ball as US was about to kick the ball in.
Usain Bolt’s 100m race
Usain Bolt…reminds me of a cheetah.
the gutsy performance of the women’s soccer team especially Sinclair
Watching Oscar Pistorius compete in the 400-metre semi-final ~ truly inspiring!
Christine Sinclair’s hat trick….incredible!
Even though he didn’t win the match, Raonic vs Tsonga epic third set
Most looking forward to the women’s soccer team WINNING bronze!
I look forward to the women’s wrestling winning.
Our rowing wins!
I loved watching Bolt, bolt across the rack for the win!!
So many greats! The gold win for trampoline was fab!
christine sinclair’s hat trick in the womens soccer semis
Andy Murray’s win over Federer was one of my favorite Olympic moments – the look of sheer relief and joy on his face was epic.
Rosie MacLennan winning gold in trampoline. Amazing!
Usain Bolt’s gold medal win yesterday!
men’s surprise high jump bronze
watching Christine Sinclair score the third goal for canada on august 6th
Rosie MacLennan winning Gold on the trampoline!
opening ceremonies and looking forward to the closing ceremonies!
Gold Medal on the trampoline!
My favourite London 2012 moment so far has been Spandy Andy representing Vancouver in front of London’s biggest monuments! Definitely good for a laugh.
Of course Canada’ first Gold metal!!!
Our first gold on trampoline was awesome! 🙂
Can’t wait to see if Adam Van Koeverden will win Gold Wednesday
The first gold medal win for Canada and the opening ceremony.
My favourite London moment so far was seeing Brent Hayden win a bronze medal.
Oops, I posted twice on this post by mistake. Sorry.
I enjoyed The first gold on the Trampoline event
Rosie’s gold medal performance in the trampoline! Canada’s first gold at London 2012!
My favourite moment so far was Rosie’s gold medal performance on the trampoline (but also watching Emilie and Jennifer win our first medal of the games!).
I really enjoyed watching Michael Phelps win all of those medals!
When Sun Yang won gold for men’s 1500m Freestyle in Swimming
The Canada v. USA soccer game!
Looking forward to bmx finals.
Looking forward to women’s soccer tomorrow.
Fave moment so far was watching usain bolt!
My favourite moment of the Olympics so far has been Christine Sinclair’s hat trick in the women’s soccer semi against the States. She is such an amazing player.
Christine Sinclair in the soccer semis. She is AMAZING!
Canada’s first gold medal of the games!! Wow — so exciting & moving!! GO CANADA GO!!
The Canadian women soccer semifinal game! Looking forward to their bronze medal match tomorrow!!
I loved the 007 meets the queen piece!
Definitely the opening ceremonies were a highlight!
Looking forward to the Canada/France women’s football game tomorrow. Go Canada Go!
women’s synchronized diving
Hayden winning bronze. I was yelling at my tv!
There have been so many. Clara Hughes competing with a broken back and just her positive attitude. The Women’s soccer game was also another highlight.
Women’s soccer game and all the swimming finals!
Brent Hayden’s first medal was amazing for British Columbia and Canada.
Jon Montgomery
The mens 100 was pretty cool, all really, including the opening
Men’s rowing 8s gutting it out and winning silver!
For me, the best moment was, and always is, the opening when the athletes come out with the flags.
Canada’s first gold medal!
Hayden
I’m most looking forward to spending time with family this week
I was most looking forward to seeing if Usain Bolt could repeat as 100m champion. Now that he has, I’m eagerly anticipating the 200m race and the 4x100m relay.
I like watching the women’s 10 meter diving earlier today. We had three Canadians in the top 18! It’s amazing what they can do while falling into the drink!
Womens Soccer
Hearing our anthem!
My favorite moment so far was Usain Bolt’s 100m sprint.
My favourite moment so far was when the Canadian women’s eight won silver in rowing.
The James bond part of opening ceremonies
The James bond part of opening ceremonies.
bronze medal womens soccer
Bolt winning Gold in 100 and 200
Women’s soccer
Clara Hughes – great athlete, great role model
Our Bronze medal women’s soccer team!
Adam van Koeverden winning a silver medal!
Womens soccer! #12
Bolts winning the gold
Haydens Win of course!
Bolt winning gold in 100 m and 200 m
Cdn women’s soccer winning bronze
Favorite moment so far has been Malaysia winning their first medal ever in diving.
Opening ceremonies
Not having to listen to that CTV olympic music again
LOVED when the Canadian Women’s Soccer Team won the Bronze!
The opening ceremonies!
All our Canadian athletes are winners!! Rock on!
I’m looking forward to the gymnastics.
bronze for Canada’s womens soccer team!
There have been many great, and emotional, moments at London 2012, too many to list out here. But I’m looking forward to the Closing Ceremony- for a number of reasons. 1. I can’t wait to see what Brazil have planned for the handover…it will be a teaser for Rio 2016. and 2. All the brilliant, amazing, inspiring athletes who have spent the last 2 weeks putting on one of the greatest shows on earth, FINALLY get a well deserved break! Good for them!
Women’s soccer doing so well against the US, then taking Bronze!
Brent Hayden!
Looking forward to seeing who will be chosen to carry the closing ceremony flag for Team Canada.
I loved watching Gabrielle Douglas win the All-Around , very exciting, all of the events have been exciting
Women’s soccer bronze!
Canadian Women’s Soccer Team winning the Bronze.
Watching Usain Bolt take gold in 100m and 200m track. It looks so easy for him!
The gold medal tennis match between Federer and Murray – though not the outcome we hoped for – it kept us on the edge.
Canada winning gold on the trampoline! Looking forward to the closing ceremony.
Bolt’s performances … can’t wait to watch the 4 x 100
Liked watching the track and wrestling and can’t wait to watch the rest of the other competitions