Go Canada Go!

The oval was shaking from shouts of “go Canada go” for Christine Nesbitt. When halfway through that last lap she looked to be still almost half a second off pace and I really wondered whether she could pull it though. And then there she was crossing, and when we all looked up it said Canada first and the crowd went crazy. High-fiving complete strangers like it were our own medal. My son William, mouth open wide, simply shouting “Gold”. My daughter burst into tears; because it was so loud she sat down just before Ms. Nesbitt finished, and now she says she missed the gold medal. Could be seven days of all out Olympic excitement, miles of walking and late nights, are finally getting to her. Funny, but I never remember shouting and high-fiving when I won my own medals. I felt too much relief that it was over, mixed with quiet satisfaction that I had pushed through the pain and the pressure; also, extreme exhaustion and the poison of lactic acid in my muscles. It is funny how different my perspective is; I am really into the experience of being a fan and when the athletes don't wave at the crowd I am kind of disappointed for the crowd even though clearly I understand it is just that the athlete is focussed. Now I find myself wondering if I took time to wave to the crowd in Atlanta, or if I felt it was too egotistical to stoop and acknowledge the applause. Hockey just finished and I am not going too far into that one or it will only reveal my ignorance. What I can say is there I'd be screaming and cheering on the streets of Vancouver every time Canada scored a goal. Nice job of keeping us on our toes boys! Until tomorrow. --Silken