Well, we did it! We all came together as a nation, and we believed.
The 2010 Olympics are over, and while we wait for the Paralympics games to start we can heave a sigh of relief.
We did it, and we did it well.
We even might have surprised ourselves a bit.
These Olympics have been like a rite of passage for our city, our Country, our people.
We have blossomed, no longer the youngest sibling in the family of the world, almost overnight, we grew up.
Welcome to the world, Canada.
Many thank you’s are owed to the athletes, the volunteers, and the people of Vancouver, you did a great job. And you deserve the praise that the world is giving to you.
And in the end, it is not about how many medals won, or what color they were.
It is about a chance to participate, to taking away a memory, a moment.
One that will last a lifetime.
Let’s remember that.
I know we will.
Jen, I surprised myself my getting a little teary-eyed about the whole thing. It's amazing how great it feels to come together as a nation and participate in something as grand as the Olympics. Kudos to all the atheletes from around the world who did their very best!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully thought and written Jen! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWell one thing you don't know about me is when I was a gymnast, I was in the Jr. Olympics and trained with the first black man to make it to the Olympics in gymnastics and that year it was a boycott! These atheletes are a force to be reckoned with for sure. Their dedication is above and beyond!
ReplyDeleteWe thoroughly enjoyed the coverage and the awesome job Canada did in hosting these Olympics. Hope you will have a nice week Jen.
ReplyDeleteI am so pumped this morning - a proud Canadian, just like William Shatner et al. And I am happy that we won so many medals, but I am happier that we were a class act, e! Did you hear us sing "Oh Canada" last night? I've never heard us sing like that, with gusto, we really meant it! To every athlete from every country, and especially to those from Georgia and Chile and to Joannie and her family, well done.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a great games and I've loved watching them. I've fallen in love with (watching) ski-cross!
ReplyDeleteThere has been lots of coverage and documentaries about Canada and Vancouver on the BBC and about how the country has responded to the games - all very positive and joyous!
Well done Canada! :)
I too got teary eyed with pride. Of course I'm still laughing at myself a little bit that I turned from a somewhat cynic into a total Olympic mushball (I thought I'd only watch the men's hockey) and of course that game last night was epic.
ReplyDeleteVancouver did a great job. We're very proud and grateful for such a spectacular party. I hope the post-O letdown isn't too rough.
Garden Ms. I was teary eyed also. I think for me it started when the torch came through. It all became real.
ReplyDeleteCarol, thank you, once again I was writing it on the fly, but I think I got across what I was trying to say.
Darla, I think that we all want to know if you still have the same flexibility? Do you? Amazing to be able to train, and so heartbreaking not to be able to compete. Did you ever get to go?
Mildred, it was Awesome, wasn't it? We hope that everyone had a really great time, and like the comedian said, "you come back and visit again, just not all at once."
Peggy, when I was out for a walk after the hockey game, perfect strangers were stopping me to talk about the hockey game. We were a city of pumped up, excited residents. The guys across the road were hooting and hollering for hours, horns honking, people cheering. We became a Nation together in these 17 days.
Nutty Gnome, I am so glad that our country could show it's good side, and that people understood just who we are. A good, talented, peaceful country. One that just grew up overnight.
Jodi, I hear you, today the paper is full of joy in the front, worried in the middle, and downright depressing in the end. All about the O - letdown. Well every party has to end. The trick is to keep the good feelings coming, even when you have to pay the bills. Otherwise you would never hold another party.
On another note, did anyone see the guys in the canoes? One of them was my husbands friend. We were waiting to find out what his top secret role was for months. Way to go Paul!
We also had a friend that was a ballet dancer in the opening ceremonies, and some friends who volunteered as drivers. Amazing people to give up so much of their time, and they did a great job.
Jen
yeah for Canada! You did really well! Oh, and thanks for the tip about Stopwatch.
ReplyDeleteNo, I was only in the Jr. Olympics the black did not get to go after qualifing because of the boycott...yes mam I'm still pretty flexible at 47, I stretch every night...
ReplyDeleteGreat post Jen. I have to admit that I am not "into" sports, the most athletic thing I do is walking or weeding. However, I must also admit I did get into the Games. Really enjoyed it and the fact that for once our athletes won a lot of gold medals! And lets not forget all those Silver and Bronzes. What still blows my mind is that except for skating, most were won over a few 100th's of a second. Congrats to all of them!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great Olympics. You should be proud. That hockey game was a on the edge of your seat great game.What a great way to end it. Congrats! The closing ceremony was good and I only caught a little of it.I missed the canoes but it must have been so fun watching someone you knew personally.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day Jen.
Congratulations, Canada!
ReplyDeleteYou are right it isn't all about the medals (most ever)is it? Job well done all around.
ReplyDeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteA very thoughtful post, and a big congratulations to Canada. The olympics leave me feeling overwhelmed at the coming together of so many amazing athletes from such distant places. It makes the world seem a little smaller, at least for a little while.
Jen girl .. there was some hooting and hollering ? here in this house .. boys in hockey jerseys too HAPPY to believe .. we started out slow but did we CLEAN UP or what ? LOL .. a truly wonderful moment for all the country and players : )
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PS .. let them party where ever they want to party for heaven sakes !!!
with my husband being canadian...i so understand the pride you feel and well you should.
ReplyDeletehow exciting for your country to host the olympics and then to have done so well in the games.
bravo canada~!
It was a great party and congratulations to all the athletes!
ReplyDeleteI had a great time watching.. and I was happy that you all won the Hockey Game..well done:)
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