We have had our best medal count ever and still one day to go?

	Saturday was one of the best day ever for Canadian Paralympic history. I headed out for the press conference with minister Finley. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada gave us $189K for our advertising campaign. I was part of the focus group that helped develop it and the agency that did it for us (BBDO) pro-bono, did a fabulous job. Since I was already downtown, I picked my family and brought them to the Gold medal hockey game. This will be their first live Paralympic sport and I have to say I’m a bit nervous about whether or not they’ll have enjoyed it as much as I did. I purchased my daughter a bunch of Japanese flags and she even tried to give them to American fans! The majority of the audience was waving Japanese flags – everyone likes rooting for the underdog. Before the game, I had an excellent conversation with the Quebec Minister for Social Services (responsible for Sport). I always like a chance to leverage our amazing athletes for the development of sport and health in general. Japan kept it close and the outcome isn’t certain until 2 minutes from the end. It was defining moment for sledge hockey in Japan. They even broadcast-ed the game live there. My wife and daughter think it’s way cool and stay until after the medal ceremony is done. Then I’m off to curling and watched our team in their Gold medal match. They easily beat Sweden that morning and faced South Korea for Gold. Our entrance to the curling venue goes through the staff cafeteria where 2 big TVs were showing downhill skiing. Lauren Wolstencroft won her fifth Gold by another large margin thus making history as the first woman to win five Gold medals in Winter Games. She cracked a smile but made it look like it was just another day at the office. The curling game looks like it was going to be a runaway. We led 8-1 after four, but Korea came back strong. Jim Armstrong needed to do a take out with his last stone to win. It’s a simple take out, unless it’s the last stone of the Gold medal match at home in front of five thousand screaming fans…With Jim, you never know if he’s happy or unhappy with his throw. The face remains exactly the same no matter what. Same this time, it isn’t until the stone if halfway through that he finally pumped his fist in the air. It was a perfect takeout and we win by one. In the evening, the Government of Ontario held a reception for our athletes. One more Minister to lobby! Our sledge team is there and they were surrounded by their best fans – their families who keep snapping pictures. They are also very gracious as they congratulated the curlers on their Gold medal. Real class being demonstrated once again by Paralympians. The location is high up over the harbor and the cauldron. Stunning views! Then I returned to Whistler so I could be at the Nordic Sprint event in the morning. Sunday is the closing day and we had a shot at a couple more medals. That would be the icing on the cake – we already have our best Gold medal count, best overall medal count and best ranking ever at the games.