Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Olympics, should be a synonym for passion...


Well, as we all remember last year at this time we were cheering and celebrating together as a country. It is the one year anniversary of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. So I decided to do some reflecting because I remembered how I felt.
Canada hosted it's third Olympic games, first being Montreal (summer games), second being Calgary (winter games) and then obviously Vancouver. However, this time it was different, it was the first time we have seen Canadians, known for our humbleness, rip off our metaphoric shirts and pound our chests.
- Actually I think I really did that, a couple of times - 
At the same time we were being the hosts everyone thought we would be. Which I think was remarkable in itself, to be able to cheer like that with out people getting annoyed, but actually embracing it. Example, Oprah.
Watching the CTV special about the one year anniversary got me thinking about what it was like during those 17 days.
I remembered being inspired and emotional. Cheering with my family, my friends, and screaming by myself when Alexandre Bilodeau won Canada's first ever gold medal on home turf. I wouldn't say I was bawling but there were tears. I know I never felt so proud to be Canadian as I did during this time. 
What does all this have to do with passion? Other than the facts that the athletes competing all had great passion for their respected sport but turned it into passion to do it for their country. 
-I saw this most when Mellisa Hollingsworth missed the podium and the first thing she did was apologize to the country. We all know there was no need to apologize but her passion to win for our country made her. Also lets not forget Joannie Rochette. How could we? That is true passion.
It showed me that passion can come in many different forms and can be expressed in many different ways. I also now think that pride and passion go hand in hand in some ways. You also really need to love something as we all fell in love with our country last February.
What I want to say here is after reflecting on the games and how I felt watching our athletes compete and our country unite. I think I am that much closer to finding my passion in life, even though I still don't know what it is.  I definitely NOW know how it feels. Oh Canada, thanks. 

3 comments:

  1. Watching the Olympics has always been one of my favorite things, but I agree having it in Canada last year made it even more special. Watching Alexandre Bilodeau win was one of the highlights for me, it was nice to see how a whole country can come together and be so proud for a fellow Canadian.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Last year's Olympic Games were incredible. I felt all of the same things you did. When I watch the Olympics I always think about how amazing it would be to be one of those athletes competing, and become inspired to work even harder at the most important things in my life. These athletes truly show us what we can achieve if we work hard enough.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Ryan, so patriotic :)
    Yeah there’s been stuff on TV all week doing recaps of the Olympics, last week the Fifth Estate’s episode was about Nodar Kumaritashvili, they replayed his death so many time and whether or not that was ethical is up for debate. It’s sad how even a year later, the tragedy is just as devastating as it was back then. For about 3 years now I’ve had the emblem of the Canadian Olympics on my work shirt because HBC was one of their huge sponsors. I still have to wear that same shirt, a year after the Olympics have passed..
    Either way your blog looks sweet. I look forward to reading what’s to come.

    ReplyDelete