Yesterday Maëlle Ricker won Canada’s second gold medal of the Vancouver 2010 Games and just like with Alexandre Bilodeau, a press conference is being held in her honour.
Update: Not only has Maëlle brought home the second gold medal on Canadian soil, she’s also our first Canadian woman to do so, and first female snowboarder to have that honour as well.
“There was a lot of support, I felt the Canadian crowd and the friends and family in the crowd,” said Maëlle to open the conference.
A host from Cool FM asks if she has any lucky charms. Maëlle replies, “I have a lucky loonie. There’s one at the start of the boarder cross [route] and there’s one in my pocket.”
She was asked in French what the first thing was that went through her mind when she won the gold. Replying in French she said that she was just so proud to be Canadian and the first thing she did was to try and find her mom in the stands. She also says in French that she could feel the pride and admiration of Canadians throughout her run.
CBC asks if she’s had more sponsorship opportunities in reference to her being on Blenz Coffee cups.
John Biehler just got up and asked her how she feels about being in Vancouver right now and especially going into the hospitality houses (she was at Irish House last night). She said it’s just an amazing feeling and there’s so much going on in Vancouver it’s overwhelming.
“I’m just living in the moment right now,” she adds after another question. “I haven’t thought too far ahead,” she just wants to keep racing.
“You had to move like a cat out there,” she noted in reference to the course conditions. “As the day went on the snow definitely softened up and became slick. The course was enjoyable in the finals.”
As Bilodeau remarked as well, Ricker credits the Own the Podium program with a lot of support throughout her training and for all Canadian athletes. She also says it’s amazing to not only see her own family but the Canadian family “in red and white” all around.
![Mayor Gregor Robertson, Maelle Ricker, [unknown], Premier Campbell](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4366242498_69aa2b8fa7.jpg)
Another question from the audience asks what she’ll do now to enjoy the rest of Vancouver 2010. “I’m going to watch my roommate Sarah Conrad,” as well as other athletes in downhill, speedskating and curling.
She credits her big brother for teaching her how to snowboard and she can’t believe she gets to snowboard for a living. She is positively glowing. “Growing up I looked up to Olympians,” she says with regards to being a role model. She still can’t believe she’s up in those ranks now. Ever-humble, just like a true Canadian Olympian. I’m thinking she fits in quite well. “Je suis sur la lune.”
Maëlle will receive her gold medal at the ceremony tonight but just mentioned she’ll be hanging out at the Canada Pavilion on Georgia before then.
Update February 19, 2010 Maëlle will be signing autographs this Sunday, February 21st, at the Canada Post on Georgia Street from 2:00pm until about 3:00pm.
Update February 20, 2010 Maëlle will have a public appearance today at 3:00pm over at the Bell Ice Cube.
In support of Team USA’s speedskaters Stephen Colbert, host of the popular Comedy Central show The Colbert Report has come to Vancouver.
This morning was the first of two tapings down near Science World and hundreds showed up to catch a glimpse of the man who coined the term “Canadian Iceholes”.
According to the Vancouver Sun, guests on Wednesday included Michael Bublé (Colbert called him “Celine Dion without the white jumpsuit”) and NBC’s Bob Costas.
I didn’t get down there to catch the action (although he’ll be back at it again tomorrow) but I’ve relied on the social media sphere for updates and a few mobile phone images as twitpics.
You can follow live updates from the crowd by searching “Colbert + Vancouver” on Twitter.
Twitpics:
From @halfgeek & @LaineyGossip
Flickr images:
From Mike Browne
From: Pisces Dreamer
Twitter updates:
From @AlexThistlewood:
“Third guest NBC’s Bob Costas, crowd chanting ”ride the moose”.
From @LaineyGossip:
“Colbert rally is like a rock concert. They’re delayed.”
Colbert show tapings:
9:15am Wednesday February 17th (they’re still out there as of 11:50am)
1455 Quebec (Creekside Park next to Science World)
9:15am Thursday February 18th
1455 Quebec (Creekside Park next to Science World)
These episodes will begin airing Monday, February 22, 2010.
I’ve missed BC Day, Quebec Day and yesterday’s Nova Scotia Day but I’ll make up for it now by profiling Alberta Day at the Olympics (perhaps even to honor Iginla’s stellar performance on the ice last night).
Photo by Chris Bolin for The Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede Royalty, Harry the Horse, Olympic Mascots
Every day at the Olympics another Canadian province is featured. Stop by the Canada Pavilion at LiveCity downtown for cultural performances and giveaways from the featured province each day. Alberta Pavilion is located outside BC Place over at Beatty and Robson as well. Today the first 2,500 people through the doors will receive some stampede hats and be able to learn a bit more about our neighbouring province.
At this morning’s press conference 3-time Olympian (and blogger) Kyle Shewfelt said, “I’m very proud to be Canadian and I’m very proud to call Alberta home.” He added, “Alberta’s presence at these Games is felt through its athletes and its many venues and services.”
Hon. Lindsay Blackett said, “If sport is the heart of the Olympics, culture is the soul.” With plenty of concerts and artist showcases (especially today) you can view all special events from Alberta Plaza live online.
I’ll be hopping on the Alberta Train on Thursday to get up to Whistler and I’ll also start to feature each province daily starting today and continuing with Prince Edward Island Day tomorrow.
Yesterday was another action-packed adventure here in Olympics land. The sun was shining, the cherry blossoms started to pop on the trees, and it was a great day for sport.
Day 5 February 16, 2010
The morning started out like any other, John Biehler met John and I at our house and we all walked up to the media centre at Robson Square. Coffee flowed and a team from Nova Scotia showed up to give us chocolate, scarves and swag to celebrate Nova Scotia Day at the Games.
As we got our photos and posts ready for the day and I was interviewed by CBC (French) in the morning regarding social media at the Olympics. In the afternoon I was given an all-access tour of the CBC which I will write about in another post. This was seperate from my interview earlier in the day and I had the chance to ask news anchor Ian Hanomansing how he’s covering the Olympics as a non-official broadcaster.
Later in the day we were invited to the Molson Brewery to watch the Canada vs Norway men’s ice hockey game yesterday. Once again the hospitality and kindness of the Molson crew truly shined as they also unveiled to our crowd a special celebration bottle they’ll be giving to our medalists.
Packing up and walking home from the media centre every day there are thousands of people still out and about on the streets. Concerts happening in Robson Square while kids take to the ice for a skate as late as 10:00pm.
At the end of Day 5 of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics Games yesterday, Canada was up another gold and another silver. Ending the day off with a 8-0 men’s ice hockey victory was just the icing on the cake.
Medal Count for Canada – February 16, 2010
Gold: 2
Silver: 2
Bronze: 1
View full medal count by country
Exploring more of Vancouver’s history this week I took a gander at the listed photograph subject terms that I can search through on the City of Vancouver Archives website.
Finding some of the most obscure results, I thought it would be fun to post a few retrospective photos of our city, featuring some unusual imagery.
Circus Animals
1900-1910 – A Parade with elephants goes down Granville Street
Archives item#: CVA 677-1011
Croquet
1907 – A man and woman play croquet at Denman & Barclay (now Barclay Heritage Square)
Archives item#: CVA 677-119
Gazebos
1900-1910 – A gazebo-like shelter dubbed the “summer house” at Prospect Point
Archives item#: St Pk P260
Radios
1931 – The Radio Sales Company installs a giant radio at Victory Square
Archives item#: CVA 99-4145
Soda Fountains
1914 – The interior of Cairns Drug Store located at 732 Granville
Archive item#: CVA 371-912
Tourist Trade
1905 – Investigate Vancouver, BC, Canada
Archives item#: CVA 677-565
Wrecking
1955 – The old Granville Bridge being demolished
Archives item#: CVA 447-132
Finally, you can search the following term on the archives website to find some amusing and somewhat puzzling photos of yore.
Wild Animals as Pets
1910 – A little girl in Vancouver (on Waterloo Street) and her pet Black Bear
I’ll continue the Then and Now photo series next week and I’m open to themes if you have any suggestions (ie. hotels, apartments, stores, streets, parks etc.)
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Photo credit: 