|
Story by Meghan Ward
Illustration by Derek Carman
With the XXI Winter Olympic Games coming to Vancouver in 2010, Canadians have been gearing up to cheer on their Olympic athletes, and the Bow Valley is leading the charge.
Eyes on Vancouver 2010
The first snowfall of the year will be like Christmas to a special group of athletes in the Bow Valley, who have waited anxiously to put their dry-land training to the test. With a number of Olympic medalists and hopefuls born, raised, and training right here in the area, the Olympic buzz in the Bow Valley has gained considerable momentum in the last 21 years.
Can-what?
Only 30 years ago, the town was virtually unheard of, especially after the mine closure in 1979. Had it not been for the 1988 Olympics, hosted in Calgary, the town likely would not have become the internationally-renowned destination that it is today.
The Nordic events, eventually awarded to the site in Canmore for the 1988 Olympics, were originally to be hosted in Bragg Creek; however, what is now the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, presented more desirable characteristics such as good snow retention, forest cover, and a rolling landscape.
The Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park
Since 1988, the Nordic Centre has hosted over 28 international events. In 2004, in order to reach competition standard, the Nordic Centre began a major renovation with the support of the Government of Alberta. Among the many changes in the $25.6-million project were the addition of 12.5 kilometres of cross country ski and biathlon courses and a high-capacity snowmaking system.
Training at Home
Having a world-class facility right in Canmore is a major component in helping athletes reach their goals. According to Magi Scallion, Event Coordinator at the Nordic Centre, “Having Olympians training in town is a huge boon for the local sport community. Local youth are inspired by the people they see every day. It makes all of their goals much more attainable.”
Olympic Spirit in the Bow Valley
This winter, the Bow Valley will play an important role as athletes set their eyes on the Olympic Games. While many athletes will be training at the Nordic Centre, the facilities will also host the World Cup on February 5-6, 2010, which is the last World Cup event before the Olympics.
The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay will also be coming through Banff and Canmore on its 45,000 kilometre journey across the nation. Look out for events in the Bow Valley that welcome the flame and keep the Olympic spirit ignited, including a high-calibre event in Banff on January 20th, 2010.
Getting to Know Our Local Athletes
With the torch almost in sight, athletes who have been training year round are in their final stages of preparation, hoping to qualify for the 2010 Olympic Games. We were able to catch up with a few of these Olympic hopefuls as they wait for snow to hit the trails, and we couldn’t help but be inspired by their own goals, dreams, and Olympic spirit.
PHIL WIDMER aka Widdy or Widdy Titty
Cross Country Skiing
...loves chocolate, thinks anywhere with a beach, a break, and a great crew would be a sweet vacation spot, enjoys Aylmer Pass (and the childhood memories that come with it) and thinks a career in the emerging green economy would be pretty neat.
Q. What motivates you as a person and as an athlete?
A. I believe deep down I’m motivated by the chance to live as close to my potential as possible. There is so much to see and do in the world, and I find motivation dreaming about all there is to do in life and ways that I see myself becoming a better person and aspiring to greater things.
Q. What does your relationship with your local community mean to you?
A. I am what I am largely because of the community I’ve grown up in. The more I see of the world, the more appreciative I am of my roots! The amazing people that make up the community and my community of cross country skiers also motivate me, helping me to improve as an athlete and person.
Q. How does it feel to have the 2010 Olympics hosted in Canada?
A. It feels like an amazing opportunity for Canada to show the world our beautiful corner of the globe. It would be beyond words to get the chance to be a part of it.
SARA RENNER aka Renndog
Cross Country Skiing
...loves pie, thinks the ideal vacation spot is in the backyard on 3rd Street, adores Wonder Traverse in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, would be a “kick-ass, full time, climate crusader” if she wasn’t an athlete, and has already qualified for the 2010 Olympic Games!
Q. What motivates you as a person and as an athlete?
A. I'm motivated by always trying to be better.
Q. What does your relationship with your local community mean to you?
A. I love Canmore. I have travelled, and when I come home I always am reminded that this place is my heart and soul. I am privileged to grow up here and call so many people who live here my friends. I hope I never take Canmore for granted.
Q. How does it feel to have the 2010 Olympics hosted in Canada?
A. It feels like I have been invited to the coolest party ever thrown. I am a mountain girl and racing in Canadian mountains gives me a lot of strength.
MIKE ROBERTSON aka…no nicknames!
Snowboard Cross
...loves ice cream and any candy, thinks Africa would be a pretty cool place to go, loves everything the Rockies have to offer, and would still be snowboarding, biking, climbing and hiking even if he wasn’t a world-class athlete.
Q. What motivates you as a person and as an athlete?
A. I am motivated by my personal goals as well as the people around me. When someone does something special or new, it really inspires me to do better.
Q. What does your relationship with your local community mean to you?
A. It is really nice to have a community that supports athletes, especially one such as Canmore where just about everyone is an athlete.
Q. How does it feel to have the 2010 Olympics hosted in Canada?
A. It is a really special opportunity to compete at such an event so close to home. It is really amazing to see how much everyone is getting behind the athletes and really supporting
CHANDRA CRAWFORD aka Chuck, Crawfie, Crawferto, and CC
Cross Country Skiing
...loves chocolate desserts, thinks remote volcanic islands with cool Polynesian culture would really scratch the travel itch, says Mount Assiniboine Lodge is her favourite place in The Rockies, and would be a writer and photographer if she wasn’t skiing.
Q. What motivates you as a person and as an athlete?
A. I am motivated by my passion for sport, the people in it, and its ability to make a positive impact in society. I have so much love for skiing that I have to share it, so when I'm not training, I like to work on my organization, Fast and Female, with Canmore local and Fast and Female Director Marie-Helene Thibeault. Our goal is to work towards “Empowerment Through Sport” for young women age 9-19. My family and many, many awesome Canmore people have helped make super-fun ski events possible and every year we get more and more girls hooked on the active, healthy lifestyle. www.fastandfemale.com
Q. What does your relationship with your local community mean to you?
A. My relationship with my family and the community in Canmore is who I am. I was born in the old hospital on Three Sisters Drive and feel so lucky to have grown up in such a beautiful place with amazing people and the mountains as my playground. The encouragement I get everywhere I go has given me energy my whole life to absolutely go for it in life. Having strong, smiling role models like Sara Renner, Sharon Wood and Thomas Grandi around has also had a big impact on my life.
Q. What do you want to say to fellow Canadians and local Bow Valley residents with regards to the upcoming Olympics?
A. The Olympics are going to be cool and everything, but for the Bow Valley the World Cup Ski races in Canmore (February 5 and 6) are going to be a major highlight this winter. All the exact same racers who are going to the Olympics will be rocking these in Canmore for their final tune-ups, so it’s an opportunity to see some majorly high-level racing and cheer on the Canadians.
Please check out www.albertaworldcup.com and come out to these action-packed events!
Top of Page
Exposure
High Times - The Adventures of Jim Davies
Know Your Neighbour
The Shiny Road
|
