As the Olympics descend upon us, the critics of these Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver are being drowned out by slogans of “ We Believe”, “Go Canada Go” and “Own the Podium”. We can almost taste the medals “we” are going to win, and we can be promised stories of courage, overcoming the odds, and sheer and awe inspiring excellence. The Olympics are here and let’s enjoy the inspiration and performances to the fullest. My son William is tripping over himself with joy. These Olympics are his Disneyland; in fact we put the money we had stored away for that trip into tickets for these Games. Even with a few items, the trip will be anything but cheap, but I know the memories and inspiration for my kids will last a lifetime.
Not surprisingly both my kids William and Kate are Olympics crazy. When I confirmed that we had tickets to Snowboard Cross my son literally screamed with joy; Kate knows the colours of the rings represent all the colours in the flags of the world, and they both have a strong sense of the history of the modern Olympic Games.
But mostly, they love the athletes. Kate can’t wait to see Jennifer Heil go for gold again in Freestyle Skiing. William won’t be watching any hockey live, but he is passionate about the players and knows Canada is going to win Gold. When the Games were awarded to Canada I was still carrying little Kate almost everywhere; on Friday they will descend upon Vancouver as Olympic fans, as kids who won the Olympic lottery and have tickets to multiple events including the Opening Ceremonies. Now, their mom being a four-time Olympian, they are going to be dragged to media interviews, they have a whole day of sitting in the Sport for Peace and Development conference I am speaking at with Right to Play, but even these experiences will be memorable and enriching.
And I know, they already get it, they get how special it is that they can actually be there. They get that watching an athlete compete is a moment in time that will never be repeated, they get that a lifetime of hope and dreams fall upon one finite moment. My kids are creating a poster to hold at events that says “We Believe---In You!!!” We came up with it in the car yesterday when I talked to my kids about the pressure the athletes are facing right now, and how we all, in our own way, can encourage them.
I am profoundly grateful that my kids will have the experience of the Games in Canada in their lifetime. I know it will open their eyes to possibility, not just of being athletes, but also about having dreams and going for them with all you’ve got.