6 days after the Games
Some amazing footage from a friend. Highly recommend you check it out.
Vancouver 2010, by Jordan Megahy
http://www.vimeo.com/9956250
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
A New Flame
3 days after the Olympic Games
It was only three days ago that the Olympic flame was extinguished, plunging Vancouver into a post-Olympic state of darkness. At 10:00am this morning, however, in our nation's Capital, a new spark was lit: the Paralympic Flame.
Over the next ten days, this new flame will journey across Canada, ending, finally, here in Vancouver on March 12, one month after the Olympic flame arrived. Although it will reach a smaller audience, even within the first day, representatives from each of the thirteen provinces and territories will have carried this torch, allowing the flame to symbolically reach their homes. Representing British Columbia today? Television personality Rick Mercer.
From Ottawa, the flame is scheduled to travel to Quebec City, Toronto, Esquimalt and Victoria, Squamish, Whistler, Lytton and Hope, Vancouver (Riley Park) and Maple Ridge, Vancouver (UBC), before entering BC Place for the Official Opening Ceremonies.
When the Olympic flame passed through Vancouver, I had no idea the impact it would make on me. I didn't realize the profound effect it would have - how it would symbolize, for me, the true beginning of my Olympic experience.
That being said, with the Paralympic torch fast approaching, I know enough to be excited. Rain or shine, I plan to be standing on a sidewalk sometime during it's 24-hour relay through Vancouver, cheering for the torch bearer and for our athletes, and embracing the Paralympic ideals of determination and perseverence.
Although similar to the Olympic torch, the Paralympic torch bears a unique inscription along its side, "Spark becomes flame." This metaphor is meant to represent the spark within each of us, that is capable of lighting our entire world. I realize that we've only been left in the darkness for three days, but already, I'm looking forward to the new light the Paralympic Games promise to cast over our city.
It was only three days ago that the Olympic flame was extinguished, plunging Vancouver into a post-Olympic state of darkness. At 10:00am this morning, however, in our nation's Capital, a new spark was lit: the Paralympic Flame.
Over the next ten days, this new flame will journey across Canada, ending, finally, here in Vancouver on March 12, one month after the Olympic flame arrived. Although it will reach a smaller audience, even within the first day, representatives from each of the thirteen provinces and territories will have carried this torch, allowing the flame to symbolically reach their homes. Representing British Columbia today? Television personality Rick Mercer.
From Ottawa, the flame is scheduled to travel to Quebec City, Toronto, Esquimalt and Victoria, Squamish, Whistler, Lytton and Hope, Vancouver (Riley Park) and Maple Ridge, Vancouver (UBC), before entering BC Place for the Official Opening Ceremonies.
When the Olympic flame passed through Vancouver, I had no idea the impact it would make on me. I didn't realize the profound effect it would have - how it would symbolize, for me, the true beginning of my Olympic experience.
That being said, with the Paralympic torch fast approaching, I know enough to be excited. Rain or shine, I plan to be standing on a sidewalk sometime during it's 24-hour relay through Vancouver, cheering for the torch bearer and for our athletes, and embracing the Paralympic ideals of determination and perseverence.
Although similar to the Olympic torch, the Paralympic torch bears a unique inscription along its side, "Spark becomes flame." This metaphor is meant to represent the spark within each of us, that is capable of lighting our entire world. I realize that we've only been left in the darkness for three days, but already, I'm looking forward to the new light the Paralympic Games promise to cast over our city.
Monday, March 1, 2010
An Article You Should Read
1 day after the Games
After completing my own farewell to the Games, I stumbled upon this one. Like the name implies, it conjured up every emotion I've felt in the past 17 days. Take a look.
"These Games were everything a human can feel."
By Christie Blatchford, The Globe and Mail Posted Sunday, February 28, 2010 10:43 PM ET
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=54797.html
After completing my own farewell to the Games, I stumbled upon this one. Like the name implies, it conjured up every emotion I've felt in the past 17 days. Take a look.
"These Games were everything a human can feel."
By Christie Blatchford, The Globe and Mail Posted Sunday, February 28, 2010 10:43 PM ET
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=54797.html
Some Not-So-Final Thoughts
1 Day after The Games
Seventy-two days and forty-three blogs ago, I was sitting in a familiar office with a group of unfamiliar people. We were a motley crew - ranging in age, skin colour, gender, birthplace, and interests. It seemed, at the time, that we only had two things in common: we were all students, and we were all ready to begin our Students Live experience.
I distinctly remember that first blog post, my very first time blogging. I wrote that I had lots to learn. Now there, is an understatement.
As The Games rapidly approached, the amount of learning that took place throughout the program rivalled the accumulation of my twelve past years of schooling. I learned how to tweet, for one thing; learned about hashtags and the differences between direct and indirect messages. I learned how to send mass messages on Facebook, while trying to recruit fans, and how to upload photos and videos onto Youtube, Flikr, and, of course, Blogger. Steve Ewen, writer for The Province, advised we research athletes prior to events, in case of spontaneous interviews, and Theresa Lalonde, from CBC, taught us to "provide a vantage point, story, or thread that nobody else will be talking about."
The real learning, though, took place outside the office, within stadiums full of cheering fans, or in the patriotic crush of humanity that flooded Granville Street. Throughout the past 17 days, some of my most memorable teachers have been the lively characters I've interviewed on the streets. I'll never forget my first official interview as a Students Live reporter, up in Whistler with Richelle Zheng, questioning an ice sculpter about the tricks of his trade. I met fans flown in from Germany, Minnesota, France, and Quebec, and locals cheering not only for Canada, but for every nation.
I had the chance to speak with Canadian icons - with Maelle Ricker and JJ Anderson. I touched the Stanley Cup and questioned Peter Stastny. Leah Miller from Much Music said "Hi" to me, and Gordon Campell posed for a photo, smilingly remarking "You're the student journalists, aren't you?" Sitting on my bedside table, I have an olympic sticker autographed by John Furlong and Nathalie Lambert.
I also received a lesson in patriotism that instilled more national pride than any socials class ever has. Never have I felt more Canadian than during The Games. When we emerged onto Granville street yesterday, after witnessing Canadian history as our Men's Hockey Team captured gold, I found myself lost in a sea of red. Voices united in our national anthem, flags were abundant, and I felt such an overwhelming sense of comradery with our entire nation. I doubt I will ever feel such a widespread connection again in my entire life.
And perhaps the most important lessons of all were learned in everyday occurances, as the mismatched group of teenagers - with only their student status in common - became a family of confident youth reporters. I can honestly say every person I worked with in Students Live is amazingly talented and will go far in life.
Last night, there was a moment during the Closing Ceremonies, where I found myself with people who, three weeks ago, had been strangers. We were belting out K'naan's Waving Flag and waving our own Canadian flag back and forth. As fireworks showered the night sky with gold, and tears welled in my eyes, I made my peace with the end of the 17 most amazing days Vancouver has ever seen.
There is no way I can summarize everything I learned and experienced in a single blog. And the truth is that The Games officially ended yesterday, but the stories left to tell are infinite. Today, while reflecting on how much I'll miss the experience of The Games, a close friend made an excellent point.
"Though the parades and the athletes and even the world have now left us, the memories never will. They will always be there in our hearts, settled comfortably beside our Canadian spirit."
Seventy-two days and forty-three blogs ago, I was sitting in a familiar office with a group of unfamiliar people. We were a motley crew - ranging in age, skin colour, gender, birthplace, and interests. It seemed, at the time, that we only had two things in common: we were all students, and we were all ready to begin our Students Live experience.
I distinctly remember that first blog post, my very first time blogging. I wrote that I had lots to learn. Now there, is an understatement.
As The Games rapidly approached, the amount of learning that took place throughout the program rivalled the accumulation of my twelve past years of schooling. I learned how to tweet, for one thing; learned about hashtags and the differences between direct and indirect messages. I learned how to send mass messages on Facebook, while trying to recruit fans, and how to upload photos and videos onto Youtube, Flikr, and, of course, Blogger. Steve Ewen, writer for The Province, advised we research athletes prior to events, in case of spontaneous interviews, and Theresa Lalonde, from CBC, taught us to "provide a vantage point, story, or thread that nobody else will be talking about."
The real learning, though, took place outside the office, within stadiums full of cheering fans, or in the patriotic crush of humanity that flooded Granville Street. Throughout the past 17 days, some of my most memorable teachers have been the lively characters I've interviewed on the streets. I'll never forget my first official interview as a Students Live reporter, up in Whistler with Richelle Zheng, questioning an ice sculpter about the tricks of his trade. I met fans flown in from Germany, Minnesota, France, and Quebec, and locals cheering not only for Canada, but for every nation.
I had the chance to speak with Canadian icons - with Maelle Ricker and JJ Anderson. I touched the Stanley Cup and questioned Peter Stastny. Leah Miller from Much Music said "Hi" to me, and Gordon Campell posed for a photo, smilingly remarking "You're the student journalists, aren't you?" Sitting on my bedside table, I have an olympic sticker autographed by John Furlong and Nathalie Lambert.
I also received a lesson in patriotism that instilled more national pride than any socials class ever has. Never have I felt more Canadian than during The Games. When we emerged onto Granville street yesterday, after witnessing Canadian history as our Men's Hockey Team captured gold, I found myself lost in a sea of red. Voices united in our national anthem, flags were abundant, and I felt such an overwhelming sense of comradery with our entire nation. I doubt I will ever feel such a widespread connection again in my entire life.
And perhaps the most important lessons of all were learned in everyday occurances, as the mismatched group of teenagers - with only their student status in common - became a family of confident youth reporters. I can honestly say every person I worked with in Students Live is amazingly talented and will go far in life.
Last night, there was a moment during the Closing Ceremonies, where I found myself with people who, three weeks ago, had been strangers. We were belting out K'naan's Waving Flag and waving our own Canadian flag back and forth. As fireworks showered the night sky with gold, and tears welled in my eyes, I made my peace with the end of the 17 most amazing days Vancouver has ever seen.
There is no way I can summarize everything I learned and experienced in a single blog. And the truth is that The Games officially ended yesterday, but the stories left to tell are infinite. Today, while reflecting on how much I'll miss the experience of The Games, a close friend made an excellent point.
"Though the parades and the athletes and even the world have now left us, the memories never will. They will always be there in our hearts, settled comfortably beside our Canadian spirit."
Sunday, February 28, 2010
The 17th Day Of Sport
Day 17 
Today was easily one of the most incredible days of my existance. I feel so full right now - ready to laugh and cry at the same time. I can't put the emotion into words.
For now, a few photos. I'll try to sort out my thoughts by tomorrow.
Men's Skating Team Pursuit Gold Medal Winners! Mathieu Giroux, Lucas Makowsky and Denny Morrison
Parallel Giant Slalom Gold Medal Winner! J J Anderson
Students Live, camping out at en electronics store downtown to watch the big Gold Medal Hockey Game
"We're number 1!" Celebrating an amazing victory over the US - in overtime no less!
Crowds on Robson celebrate gold
The Torch burns above jubilant hockey fans
A large audience watches the Closing Ceremonies at Livecity Yaletown
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Deux Langues Officielles?
Jour 16
Comme vous le savez, le Canada est un pays bilingue. Alors, nos jeux devraient être bilingues aussi, non? Mais, le sont-ils vraiment? J'ai posé la question aux francophones qui sont à Vancouver pour Les Jeux. Voici leurs réponses.
Une femme au Curling, qui vient de Ottawa, dit que "Sur les sites, le français est partout." Son mari est d'accord. "C'est merveilleux."
Mais, dit-elle, "Les Cérémonies d'Ouverture auraient pu utiliser plus de français. Comme, par exemple, quand Donald Sutherland a prononcé les citations. Ce n'aurait pas été difficile de les traduire en français."
Son mari dit, "Oui, elle a rasion, mais, ici dans l'ouest, il n'y a pas beaucoup de francophones. Alors, l'utilisation du français ici est proportionnée à la population."
Quand j'ai parlé avec deux hommes au centre-ville, tous deux qui viennent du Québec, ont dit des choses semblables. "Le français aux jeux est bien utilisé."
Friday Night Hockey Fever
Day 16
Went downtown last night for the big semi-final game, which we watched from inside Livecity Downtown, where our media passes worked magic getting us inside. Filled to capacity, and roaring with cheers, the atmosphere was filled with patriotism and excitement. The final 20 seconds of the game were some of the most thrilling moments of my olympic experience, as, heart racing, lost in a sea of red, I watched Canada slip by in a narrow victory against Slovakia.
Inside Livecity Downtown
Went downtown last night for the big semi-final game, which we watched from inside Livecity Downtown, where our media passes worked magic getting us inside. Filled to capacity, and roaring with cheers, the atmosphere was filled with patriotism and excitement. The final 20 seconds of the game were some of the most thrilling moments of my olympic experience, as, heart racing, lost in a sea of red, I watched Canada slip by in a narrow victory against Slovakia.
Inside Livecity Downtown
The Crowd cheers wildly for their country - GO CANADA GO
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