My love affair with the Olympic Games started in 1976. I was six. I was glued to the television, watching repeats of Nadia Comăneci’s perfect 10 performance. My next memory is of the Lake Placid Olympics in 1980. If I am being honest, I am not sure if I have a memory or if I created an imaginary Olympic experience memory by watching ‘Miracle on Ice’ one thousand times. Then comes Calgary in 1988. Oh, what a connection you feel when your nation is hosting the Olympic Games. I dreamt of watching a live event in the Saddledome or seeing the ski jumpers at Olympic park. I wanted an Olympic Games stetson. I still have a few of the Olympic branded glasses I collected from Petro Canada. Then comes 2010 and hosting the Olympic games in Vancouver/Whistler. I was outfitted in red mittens and Hudsons Bay scarves the full two weeks! Walking down the streets of Vancouver and Whistler, one could recognize Olympic athletes. I felt an immense sense of Canadian pride.
What is my strong attraction to the Olympic games? Is it the grand spectacle of human achievement? Is it the global celebration? Is it my relationship with athletic struggle? Maybe it is the intense surges of emotion with the agony of losing and the ecstasy of winning.
Olympic Inspiration for Coaching
The Olympics serve as a constant source of inspiration. The dedication and discipline displayed by the athletes fuel my passion for coaching. Tri Balance athletes display the same values of hard work, perseverance, and consistency. Tri Balance athletes are not looking to get to the Olympics but are always making progress and achieving their dreams.
My Personal Olympic Journey
I have never been an Olympic athlete. The Olympic Games have still provided me with numerous personal moments of joy and pride. I have been fortunate to be a supporting family member. I travelled to the Beijing 2008 Olympics and the London 2012 Olympics to watch my husband officiate basketball on the Olympic stage. Without a doubt, supporting Steve was the highlight of the games. The Olympic experience was further enriched by unforgettable highlights, such as watching the Canadian Women’s soccer team triumph over England in Coventry and witnessing Usain Bolt’s electrifying victories in the 100m in Beijing and London. The exhilaration of those moments is indescribable. Sharing them with my young children made the experience even more profound.
My love affair with the Olympic Games continues to flourish. Now driven by my belief that pursuing excellence and celebrating human potential are timeless aspirations achievable at any age. As a coach, I channel this passion into helping others reach their goals. You have the potential to complete your first triathlon, or swim across a lake or run your first 5km. The dedication, perseverance, and commitment to growth that define the Olympic experience are the same values needed for athletes of any age. Just as Olympians push themselves beyond limits to achieve greatness, I believe that with the proper guidance and support, all athletes have the potential to achieve their dreams.
