Denise Imbeau
Special to the Chief
Prior to experiencing Torino and the 2006 Winter Olympics I had no concept of what the Olympics would mean for Squamish, or really what the Olympics were all about.
Sure, I understood it was a sporting event, where each nation's top athletes compete, but I was unclear as to how that tied together with the other pillars of the Games such as culture, arts and volunteerism. In some ways I felt discussions regarding arts and culture was smoke and mirrors designed to make non-athletes embrace the Olympic movement.
However, when the president of the Italian Chamber of Commerce asked me to sum up my experience in Torino in three words, I returned "Culture, history and great food."
John Furlong calls the Olympics "The largest peacetime activity in the world," and the significance of that became clearer each moment I was in Torino. Eighty nations gather, in peace and celebration, to engage in the hospitality of a singular nation and to show off the best of their own nation.
In an international sea, the meeting with another Canadian was one of recognition and inclusion. I was proud when I heard someone yell "Hey Canada" across a crowded piazza and knew they were calling me. My identity in Torino was Canada, and as people met Coun. Heintzman and myself they felt they were meeting a small bit of Canadiana.
I am not a sports fan and was sure the Olympics would not get to me at all, yet my eyes filled with tears of pride several times each day. Twice I was in the audience when Canada medalled, that experience was overwhelming. After, theCanadian men took a gold in curling, Coun. Heintzman and I waited for almost an hour in the dark and pouring rain with a rambunctious group of Canadians for a train. The group was the Canadian women's hockey team who had won gold a few nights earlier, and as we all got tired, wet, cold and subdued the group broke into the singing of our national anthem on the crowded train deck. It was remarkable and moving, as non-Canadians hummed along. Similarly, when the Olympic flag was passed from Italy to Canada at the Closing Ceremonies in Torino the flag was brought to BC Canada House and again the group broke into song.
These experiences were not exclusive to Canada. Every nation present at the games wore their countries colours, emblems and flags proudly. In Holland House, the colour is orange, the carpet, the chairs, all uniforms and jackets in support and recognition of their country. It was easy to pick from the crowd of Fins or Koreans and of course my Canadian comrades with their red maple leafs.
After a day or so I understood why the Olympics has such an intense following of groupies who travel the world following Games to get caught up in the energy and enthusiasm. It just feels good to be part of what is taking place, winning medals is only the icing on the cake. This lesson could not have been taught any other time than during the Games. This lesson was not about placement of venues, transportation or exhibits. Experiencing the action is the only way to find the heart and soul of the Olympics, and 樱桃视频will be placed in the heart of the action come 2010.
