Golden Day #1

	Another busy day which went late – hence the delayed blog. While in Vancouver, we watch on TV Brian and Robin McKeever win our first Paralympic Gold medal on home soil. They did it easily although later in the day they told me they were at their target heart rate and couldn’t go faster. Frankly, they looked like they were on a training run and could have gone another 20k without difficulty. As soon as the race is finished, we head up for Whistler. I drive as Jordan and Darren were both on the phone non-stop; planning the evening’s event with our friends and families who are staying at the hill. We were victims of our own success as a number of dignitaries plan on showing up at the last minute, all wanting the opportunity to address the audience. It’s a difficult balancing act – allowing these supporters to speak yet not overload the families with speeches when they’d rather spend some time with the athletes. We got on the hill just in time to see our women take Gold & Bronze in the slalom. Another excellent day, and Lauren Wolstencroft became the first woman to win a Gold medal on home soil. She skis two flawless runs and her competitors didn’t even come close. The rest of the field was really fighting for Silver. I have known Lauren since the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City – we got acquainted early thanks to a particularly nasty spill she took in downhill training. She is an accomplished woman who managed to get an degree in electrical engineering while being an international level athlete. Most people notice the left prosthetic arm, but many are surprised when they are told there are also two prosthetic legs hidden under those pants. Our Bronze medalist is Karolina Wisniewska, who also medaled in Salt Lake City before retiring from competition to complete her studies. She worked with us as a volunteer in Torino and decided she just needed to come back. To say that she was thrilled to get back on the podium 8 years later would be an understatement. The medals plaza is packed for the ceremonies with lots of flag waving, screaming and the opportunity to sing O Canada twice in 20 minutes! The evening event went really well despite being absolutely packed. Our medal winning athletes made an appearance. Robin & Brian McKeever, who are not racing the next day, stayed until the very end and pretty much allow all 325 people in the room to have their picture taken with them. They give a short speech that focuses on thanking others rather than boosting their own ego. They are truly a class act. We make several new “converts” to the Paralympic movement during the evening, and will make many more in the days to come. Nearly one million people watched our first hockey game and we think we can hit two million if we make the finals on Saturday, and there is a very good chance of that. Minister Lunn told me that the US Ambassador asked if we good leave them one hockey Gold medal, which of course we have no intention of doing! The game will be live Saturday afternoon on CTV and I just can’t wait to be part of what could be another historical moment.

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