Nearing the end

by the Salters at the Olympics

Sports

To Comment on this article Click Here

We went into Vancouver at mid-day for a final look visit before we return to Chilliwack on Saturday.

We visited the Canadian Pavilion to see if it was as bad as everyone was saying. I can categorically say "It was at least as bad as described". The building was a utilitarian temporary structure that would have fit in on the Bruce Nuclear Site but did no justice to the Canadian Image here or abroad. The malfunction of the Olympic Cauldron in BC Place was an equipment malfunction and can be forgiven, the lack of snow at Cypress Mountain was due to the warmest winter in decades and will be forgotten. The Canadian Pavilion was the failure of our government and will not be forgiven or forgotten as they have sullied our reputation and image on the world stage. Inside there was a bobsled that you could get your picture taken with, as we did. You could get your picture taken with the Olympic torch and there was a display of old skies, skates etc. The displays would however, have looked good in our own Bruce County museum.

Four First Nations symbol

Following the disappointment of the Canada Pavilion, we visited the Aboriginal Pavilion and it was excellent,  There was a very good audio - visual show and some good displays. The building itself looked like it had been built with intent and utilized wood in an artistic way and showcased the Native Culture in a positive way to the world.

As it was raining, we made our way over to the Pan Pacific Hotel and met up with daughter Allison, son-in-law Scott and two of Allison's friends from Med school to watch the Canada - Slovakia hockey game. The game was super exciting as it determined if Canada would be in the Gold Medal game against the USA on Sunday.

This was a truly exciting night for several reasons.   Directly across in the next building  was the International Broadcast Centre.  We could look out the windows to the CTV studios and see Brian Williams at the anchor desk and on TV at the same time.

We could also see the Olympic rings from the hotel. The rings turned silver for the Canadian Women's Curling team, who just won the Silver. As mentioned  previously,  the rings turn gold when Canada wins a Gold Medal. Part way through the hockey game, the crowd in the bar started shouting that the rings were turning gold. This was in recognition of the Gold and Bronze medals we had just won at the 500 meter Short Track Speed Skating, shortly after this came word that we had won Gold at the 5000 meter speed skating relay.

When we won the hockey game the place went wild. The best day ever for Canada at a Winter or Summer Olympics. The excitement was wild on the streets once again.  You could hear the singing of O Canada everywhere.  So many shows of patriotism at these Winter Games.  Let's hope we can keep the spirit, especially on our Southampton beach on Canada Day.

We finally found a Waterloo Policeman.  He was excited to talk to us too. 

To celebrate, we again visited the Olympic Flame and watched the end of day fireworks before going home for the night. The singing of our national anthem was sung once again. Everyone gets into the act.

The above photo is of a young girl whose dad puts her hair up in the Olympic rings each day. She has become a local celebrity.

Tomorrow we go back to Chilliwack and prepare for the Sunday Hockey game.

 "Go Canada Go"

Paul and Mary Jane Salter

^{for world news, books, sports, movies ...}

Sunday, February 28, 2010