July 18th, 2012

Tea and Crumpets….

Well, I haven’t written a blog in ages.  It’s almost embarrassing actually.  I don’t even have a good excuse other than the fact that it’s too easy to just get caught up in the whirlwind of life.

What has inspired me to write again is our Canadian Olympians heading to London.  I was looking at my calendar and I realized its single digits until opening ceremonies.  8 days to be exact.

I was thinking back to 8 days before my 2 Olympic Games and how different they were.  My first Olympics in 2006, I had no idea what to expect. I spent a lot of time day dreaming about what it would be like, how I would feel when I competed…and ultimately what it would feel like to stand on an Olympic podium.

4 years later after missing an Olympic podium by fractions of a second I felt much more prepared.  Instead of daydreaming, I could actually picture myself perfectly, competing with ferocious intensity to earn something that I had waited 4 years to have hung around my neck.  In Vancouver, there was an overwhelming amount of pressure, and we could feel it every day.  I remember hearing a very good friend of mine, Jenn Heil say that pressure is a great thing.  If the country is talking about the Olympics and expecting medals, it is because they care.  They are supportive and believe in each of us and what we are capable of.  Pressure can be good or bad merely depending upon your interpretation.  I loved competing in front of a country painted head to toe in Red & White and screaming at the top of their lungs for me and for all of my Olympic teammates.  I know every athlete in London feels the same way.

I learned something important in Vancouver though.  What we have accomplished to earn the right to march behind our flag is a source of huge pride for our friends, our families and our country.  It is who you are, the strength of your character and the fearless ability to relentlessly pursue a dream that inspires.

I watched friends have heartbreaking performances in Vancouver and this is inevitable at every Olympic Games.  These so called “disappointments” are intertwined with the most inspirational of moments.  We cheer for your resilience. We cheer for the elegance you demonstrate in victory and defeat. We cheer because you inspire us to be courageous and to put everything on the line to pursue a dream.  We cheer because you make us proud to be Canadian.

Just know that

We Are Cheering!

Goodluck in London,

Helen

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