Our Top Ten Canadian Olympic Moments
Also known as the "two-week long Canada Day," the 2010 Winter Olympics has brought together Canadians in a frenzy of national pride and unity. Although the games have come to an end, there have been many unforgettable moments that will forever last in our hearts and minds. Here's a list of our favourites:
- "The Great One" Lights the Olympic Cauldron - There could have been no better way to kick off the Winter Olympics than the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron by Canadian hockey legend, Wayne Gretzky. In fact, the whole opening ceremonies (with the exception of a slight hydraulics malfunction) was a distinctly Canadian celebration we can all be proud of.
- First Canadian Gold on Canadian Soil - Alexandre Bilodeau made history with his performance in men's moguls making him the first Canadian to ever win an Olympic gold medal on Canadian soil. We loved Bilodeau for his truly Canadian humble attitude about it all and crediting his brother Frederic who has cerebral palsy, for inspiring him. Also, did you know, both Bilodeau and teammate Jennifer Heil each donated $25,000 to charity in hopes of inspiring others to do the same? What amazing role models!
- Ashleigh McIvor turns Essay into Gold - The gold medal win for Ashleigh McIvor was especially sweet as the Canadian ski cross champion wrote an essay to the International Olympic Committee on why the sport should be included in the 2010 Winter Games prior to its inception. Both the inclusion of the ski cross at the Games and the gold medal win are accomplishments McIvor will never forget.
- First Ice Dance Gold for North America - Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir break the dormancy of ice dance gold for North Americans with an Olympic gold medal in ice dancing. Their skate was so beautiful and many are comparing it to the famous performace of Torvill and Dean. Even those favouring the Americans had to admit that the Canadians were flawless.
- Joannie Rochette's Inspiring Bronze Medal Performance - Joannie Rochette demonstrated exceptional courage at the Games, performing an outstanding routine through the grief of losing her mother just days before. Many agree that her performance was the best moment of the Olympics. Rochette has received the VANOC Terry Fox Award along with Slovenian cross-country skier, Petra Majdic. She was also the Canadian flagbearer at the closing ceremonies last night. To Canadians, Rochette's bronze medal win was as good as golden.
- Canadian Women's Gold and Silver in Olympic Bobsleigh - There were a lot of "firsts" for Canada during the Winter Games and one of the most memorable of them all was the claiming of the Canadian women's gold medal in bobsleigh by Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse - our country's first ever in the event. To top it off, the Canadian team of Helen Upperton and Shelley-Ann Brown took silver, making it a podium dominated by true north talent!
- MukMuk Protest - The official Olympic mascots, Quatchi, Sumi and Miga have become extremely popular characters these past few weeks; however, MukMuk, the official Olympic sidekick has become a fast favourite passing Sumi and Miga in popularity (Quatchi's still the number one fan favourite). In fact, MukMuk became so well-liked that a friendly protest was staged from fans to give the Marmot official Olympic mascot status.
- Hamelin Brothers Own the Podium - It has always been a dream for French Canadian brothers, Charles and Francois Hamelin, to get a spot on the podium together as Olympic medalists. This all became reality at the 5,000m short track relay where the Hamelin brothers, along with Francois Louis Tremblay and Olivier Jean claimed a gold medal victory.
- Women's Hockey Team Triumph Defended - Canada continued its reign of hockey supremacy and gold medal dominance in women's Olympic hockey with an undefeated performance at the Winter Games. The Canadians met with rival hockey superpower, the United States of America, and claimed a gold medal victory for the third straight Olympics in a row.
- Men's Hockey Team Takes Gold - After a dissapointing finish in the 2006 Turin Olympics, Team Canada was determined to claim the gold on home ice in 2010. With a loss to Team USA in round robin play, Team Canada up'd their game and gained redemption in the gold medal match, defeating Team USA 3-2 in overtime. The perfect Olympic Games finish for Canadians. And we were just a little excited about it...
