It’s the very last day of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and I’m pretty sure I’m never going to forget this experience — or find something to top it in the near future.
Day 16 yesterday started off with a press conference with our men’s short track speed skating team. They collected gold the night before while Charles Hamelin and François-Louis Tremblay picked up individual medals as well.
This morning, it was announced that Hamelin would be our country’s flag-bearer in the closing ceremony. He’s the only person to win two gold for Canada and in a Winter Games where we dominated the gold count, it’s pretty noteworthy. Update: reports now say Joannie Rochette will carry the flag.
Yesterday morning Joannie Rochette, who won bronze in figure skating just days after her mother’s passing, received the inaugural Terry Fox award [cknw].
Since John wasn’t working at the day job, (thank goodness for Saturdays) we headed over to the Royal Canadian Mint so that he could hold the medals for himself.
To round out the day, I interviewed George Stroumboulopoulos before heading to the Molson Brewery, where we were invited to watch the game.
More medals, three pavilions, one press conference, one interview and one brewery and here we are on Day 17. Vancouver 2010 has had its ups and downs, and while I’m still battling a stuffed up nose paired with a bit of a fever, there’s no stopping now.
Since last year, whenever George Stroumboulopoulos has found himself in Vancouver he has also graciously found the time to do a little interview with me.
It’s funny what you can get away with wearing when your city is hosting the Olympics. From body flags to body paint, here’s a glimpse of some of the fashion trends you may only get away with during Vancouver 2010.
Canadiana
Hand-marked letters, painted faces, stapled-on flags, and those popular white boots that look like Calgary ’88 leftovers.
International Flavour
While we might see Team Canada jerseys in Vancouver year-round, the international jerseys have made the crowd that much more colourful.
Oddities
Hula hoops downtown in February, spandex in Whistler, faux-fur suits, and people getting crafty with their hair.
If you have any Olympic fashion trends or decked out fan photos please feel free to add them to the Miss604 Flickr Group and I’ll post some here.
Day 15 of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games was another big one for Canada. Our short track speed-skaters collected more medals, our womens curling team got silver, and the men’s hockey team beat Slovakia to move onto the gold medal game on Sunday.
As for my personal experience yesterday, it was just a regular day at the media centre. I walked through security, got wanded, told the guard I would “miss this”, he thought I was strange, and I carried on. It’s true though, the security screenings (I go through about 2-6 a day) are a part of my daily routine during the Olympics.
Aside from the peculiar highlight, I also caught a press conference with members of the womens hockey team that won gold the night before. I also enjoyed going through Nardwuar’s content to date, the iconic music industry reporter (and musician) has been covering all things Vancouver 2010 in his own way.
Today several Olympians will be out and about in public.
Womens hockey captain Hayley Wickenheiser will be at Canada Post on Georgia meeting the public at 2:00pm.
Clara Hughes is also being honored at the Richmond O Zone as she’ll take the stage at 3:00pm.
Our friend Henry lives in Chile and although his home base is several hundred kilometers from last night’s earthquake, I believe it was impacted. We’re still trying to reach him but with reports of the power being out and communications either down or stretched, it may take a while. Here’s hoping Henry can reach us soon to let us know he’s okay.
This afternoon’s press conference with the Canadian womens hockey team regarding their gold medal win last night was heavily focused on two topics: the way the women celebrated last night and the future of their sport in the Olympics.
The Future of Womens Hockey
IOC President Jacques Rogge commented on the unlevel playing field in womens hockey and that blowouts (I’m assuming like the 18-0 Canadian win over Slovakia) are not conducive to fair Olympic play.
At the press conference the ladies addressed this, noting that when men’s hockey started out it was Canada and the Soviets that dominated but that the rest of the world caught up. Switzerland is now a contender, Sweden and Finland consistently place well and even cause a few upsets. Women’s hockey is still growing and with expanded European and international play, Marie-Philip Poulin said that it can only get more tough to compete.
The Celebration
It was reported that after the public left Canada Hockey Place the celebrations from the locker room spilled onto the ice. Caroline Ouelette told the press that the team has celebrated in that fashion after the last three Olympics. They pose for photos with logos on the ice and they all bask in their Olympic moment.
The issue is that the team did so on the ice and did not keep their champagne and beer drinking confined to the locker room. One reporter asked, “what kind of role models are you then?” The ladies replied tactfully that they waited until all public had left, they did not mean to disrespect anyone, and they have apologized. However, it was also noted that some underage players were seen with beer cans in hand.
With gold medals gleaming around their necks, these women gracefully responded to each question with poise and confidence. I’d love to hear how parents and public view this celebration.
