dm’s blog

Farewell to the Paralympic Games !

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 09:35:08 -0700

10 days, 506 athletes from 44 countries with disabilities came to compete in Vancouver during the Paralympic Winter Games. I was both amazed and glad to witness the talent and spirit of the Paralympians. VANOC has done a great job maintaining accessibility and support for both athletes and spectators. Tickets to venues were affordable, allowing families and schools to attend and witness the uniqueness of the Paralympic Games. Dreams of many paralympians have come true and many memories have been established here in Vancouver. May they return safely to their home country and congratulations to all the hardworking and dedicated Paralympic Athletes!

Paralympic Curling Semi-finals and Finals!

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:21:01 -0700

Not only was today the first day of spring break, but it was also the last day before the Paralympics and the last event I attended. Upon arrival to the venue, I noticed that it was very accessible and spectators’ spots were great from any position and angle. At the Vancouver Paralmypic Centre, the semifinals kicked off with Canada against Sweden and Korea against United States. The Americans and Koreans came close to each other 7 (USA) and 5 (Korea).On the other hand, Canada was 5 points ahead, 10-5 against Sweden!

The finals was a tight game between Canada and Korea. Without doubt, Canada was supported by most of the spectators, but Korea was backed by a whole section of fans who waved flags, singing their anthem and drumming during appropriate times. During the game, Canadians and Koreans would often cheer for their countries. The outcome of the game was unsure and everybody was shouting and cheering. The game ended by a one point difference! Canada took home the gold medal with 8 against Korea who respectively achieved 7 points.

Initially, I doubted the excitement of Paralympic Curling compared to Olympic Curling, but I was wrong. It was just as exciting. The skill required was phenomenal, Paralympians had to push the stone without any scrubbing. It solely involved accuracy upon strength and vision of the athlete.

Ice-Sledge Hockey!

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:57:23 -0700

When hockey is mentioned, most of us think skates, hockey sticks or fights. However, Ice-Sledge Hockey is completely different from the regular hockey game! I have to admit, I am not crazy about hockey, or too knowledgeable about the sport. It was interesting to see these Paralympians compete when they have disabilities. I attended the USA vs. Korea game, and to my surprise both teams played extremely hard despite their disabilities. Some had only one leg, while others didn’t have any legs. The players sit with their legs stretched out on the “sled” which has two blades below them. To move, they propel themselves by pushing their hockey sticks which have spikes on them in a backwards motion. The faster they push, alike skiing, the faster they move. Similar to hockey, they often slam each other into boards and collide head to head! -dm

Paralympic Opening Ceremony!

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:33:40 -0800

The Paralympic Opening Ceremony was just as exciting and brilliant as the Olympic Opening Ceremony. I never realized how much crowd participation it took to put on a great show. From dancing, to wearing the parkas and waving the pompoms everybody was involved in more than one way at the opening ceremony! After Sumi was revealed there were dances and songs performed by Canadian musicians. Then, the athletes began to enter BC Place.

Without doubt, Canada brought the most attention and noise to the whole crowd. It was just an amazing sight to see Paralympic athletes arrive to compete in world-class games! Then Rick Hansen, John Furlong and the head of the International Paralympic Committee gave speeches about the Paralympic games. Terry Fox’s parents had the honour of bearing the Olympic torch as it entered. Fox’s parents selected David Beaumont, a fifteen year old boy who aspires to become a future Paralympic snow boarder to light the Paralympic Cauldron. The night ended with several more performances and the crowd bringing home an everlasting memory of the excitement and joy! -dm

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:55:48 -0800

Just two hours after Canada’s victory was the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony. Canadians will forever remember the spirit, the excitement and great moments of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. The closing ceremony consisted of many popular Canadian Artists, comedians and thousands of performers. The athletes were welcomed to their seats and danced upon entry! The ecstatic crowd’s spirit evidently show that Canadians know how to celebrate! The cauldron’s flame was lit out and Olympic Committee members gave speeches. While many found that the jokes about Canadians were unnecessary and mocking, most just enjoyed Canada’s great sense of humour! The Olympic Winter Games are over, but eleven days the Paralympics will begin! -dm

Canada wins Gold Hockey Game!

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:49:05 -0800

Not only is today the last day of the Olympics, but Canada won gold in Men’s Hockey! What a great way to finish the Winter Games off! The game was intense and the Canadians were leading the game for most of the duration. Towards the last 20 seconds of the game, the Americans traded their goalie for an extra player and scored! The game went into overtime, and minutes later Sideny crosby scored the winning goal the score: 3-2! Immediately after the goal, Canadians celebrated on the streets and soldiers in Afghanistan were cheering wildly too! Go Canada! -dm

Men’s Long Track Speed Skating Team!

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:31:12 -0800

Here are the three men, who won gold in long track speed skating for our country! They were all overwhelmed that they were able to take a gold medal home. They believe that the Winter Olympics have been an incredible experience for all of them. They constantly praise British Columbia for it’s beauty and nature. One of the members even joke and say that he wants to move to Vancouver! Overall, they were happy to play on homeland, to hear the crowd cheering for them and the spirit and the love from Canadians! Unfortunately, they left early to attend the Gold Medal Hockey Game! -dm

Blueberry Farm Owner: Jasey-Jay Anderson

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:59:52 -0800

He began his speech stating that he was so close to winning silver, and that whether or not winning a medal wasn’t important, but all the hard work he put in and the experience. He often referred that he is shocked an surprised at his performance while riding downhill. Anderson, is not only an Olympian, he is also a blueberry farm owner. When the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games were announced, he was pulled out from his life with family and farm and began training. He then compares blueberries to his sport, how it teaches him to be patient, to be creating peace and reflecting it towards others. Anderson is also a lively man who jokes about creating his own jam to commemorate his gold medal victory. When one of the attendants of the conference phone rang, he jokes again saying that must’ve been the Prime Minister. Full of joy, Anderson has reached his life's’ goals and hopes to return home where he will be providing nutritiously grown nature’s candy to his locals.

Anderson a father of two also mentions how important education is and his message to young people who are inspired by him. He compares sport to school and describes how “there are many different ways one can learn.” He tells the aspiring athletes to show respect to teachers, to talk to them and share experiences. “Through communication comes knowledge,” and thats what matters. Despite being “somewhat challenged,” Anderson enjoyed learning and states that “being a teacher is one of the toughest jobs out there...” and he feels that there isn’t enough recognition for their work. JJ Anderson, a humble Canadian Gold Medalist and a blueberry farmer is truly a great role model. -dm

Canada’s Golden Men’s Curling Team!

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:40:37 -0800

They began discussing about the fact how curling seems to attract less attention than other sports such as hockey. They agree that it is true, and then begin to compare and contrast the sports curling and hockey. A member states that it is fine that curling doesn’t attract as much attention, and how each sport has it’s own fans and supporters. As for intensity, they haven’t felt as excited and intense during a curling game other than the final. Unlike hockey, it isn’t fast speed and reaction-based, curling is “strategical sport,” which requires planning. “They are very different sports, one is reactive and the other is more planned.” Congratulations to the Men’s Curling Team! -dm

Farewell to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:27:23 -0800

The last day of the Olympics began early for me at 5:00 am when I had to wake up for a live CTV interview which took place at Robson Square. After the interview, the Students Live Crew had a “golden” breakfast at the official restaurant of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Games. Shortly after, we attended gold medal press conferences including the Men’s long track speed skating, snowboarder JJ Anderson and the Men’s Curling Team. Together our team enjoyed the Gold Medal Hockey Game and celebrated around downtown. Hours later, the Closing Ceremony took place. A great way to end the Olympic Games, a Gold Medal for Men’s Hockey, and an entertaining ceremony hours later! -dm

Women’s Bobsleigh Heat 1, 2

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:08:37 -0800

After getting off the first segment of the gondola lift lies the Whistler Sliding Center. Here is where luge, skeleton and bobsleigh events are held. Pictures and videos of this venue barely portray how steep and unaccessible it truly is. Bobsleigh, is the fastest Winter Olympics sport, I have witnessed. The workers at the site ran multiple tests including trial runs and measuring the temperature of the track to ensure safety. The picture was taken at 1/4000 of a second, when I heard the bobsled I had no time to look I just clicked my shutter. Thankfully, during heat one and heat two, no accidents occurred.Take a look at several bobsleds, as they travel at high downhill speeds -dm