L’objectif ultime de cette levée de fonds était de donner en retour. Je suis fier aujourd’hui d’être en mesure de remettre un chèque au montant de 500$ aux organisations sans but lucratif suivantes: La Fraternité St-Marc et La Maison des Jeunes l’Antidote. Je souhaite aussi remercier ces deux organisations de m’avoir donné le privilège d’amasser des fonds en leur nom.

Je partage avec vous mon site internet dans lequel j’expose mes mémoires olympiques ainsi que la liste de mes généreux commanditaires http://mycommunityvolunteer.org

When I embarked on my journey to the Olympics, I was supported by the financial generosity of the local entrepreneurs and business owners of the Roussillon and Montérégie (specifically Lacolle and St-Jean) as well as my friends and family. A big Thank You to ALL for believing in and contributing to this great adventure.

The ultimate goal of my fundraising was to be able to give back. I am proud to announce that I can deliver cheques for $500 to the following non-profit organizations: (1) Fraternite St-Marc and (2) La Maison des Jeunes l’Antidote. I would also like to thank these organizations for allowing me the priviledge of collecting funds on their behalf.

Visit my website at: http://mycommunityvolunteer.org for my Olympic memories as well as a comprehensive list of sponsors.

without you, this would not have been quite the same!

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The momentum is building; Alexandre Bilodeau said that His was the first of MANY and that the first Gold medal on Canadian soil was no more important than the rest. What a class act, BRAVO Alexandre, your brother must be proud!

At the end of day 13, Canada has 7 GOLD medals, Alexandre was right!

We are well on our way to the most successful Olympic games, EVER. As a volunteer at Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver, I have been fortunate enough to witness first hand:

Jenn Heil, Silver medalist: Freestyle Skiing – Women’s Moguls,

Alexandre Bilodeau, Gold medalist: Freestyle Skiing – Men’s Moguls,

Mike Robertson, Silver medalist: Snowboard – Men’s Boarder Cross,

Maelle Ricker, Gold medalist: Snowboard – Women’s Boarder Cross,

Ashleigh McIvor, Gold medalist: Freestyle Skiing – Women’s Ski Cross,

And as a spectator at the Whistler Sliding Center;

Jon Montgomery, Gold medalist: Men’s Skeleton

Stay tuned for even more. How does this make you feel as a Canadian?

Here we go! Canada’s strongest event with the pre-race hype to boot. The relatively new sport of Ski Cross makes its Olympic debut at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.

While Ophelie David (FRA) is leading the World Cup standings again this year, there are four Canadians looking at the Podium. Ashleigh McIvor is 2nd in the World right now and has beaten David two out of three races in January 2010. Kelsey Serwa is ranked 3rd in the World, winning twice and finished 2nd in recent racing. Julia Murray, daughter of late Alpine skiing legend Dave Murray, has been on the podium twice this season but may been feeling the effects of a knee tweak in Lake Placid three weeks ago.

On the ride up on the Eagle chair this morning w/ Ashleigh & Sasa Faric (SLO), McIvor: “We’re finally here Sasa! … I love the flat light… It scares the other girls!!!

Very Happy Athlete

Ashleigh seemed loose and very proud and positive, she spoke of her family and friends, with air horns, who are here to cheer! She also recognized the Jay Peak, Vermont stickers on my skis and we talked about the mountain and Resort.

At the top, I encouraged the athletes: “Have a great day ladies” and to my delight they replied in unison: “You too!”

I am posted to med station 5: the meat locker, tends to get chilly (for Vancouver)! ;-D

Check it out:

Ashleigh Wins GOLD!!!

Stay tuned for the Victory Celebration Party report from a VIP perspective.

Very interesting to see the athletes starting to push for performance testing out how soft the landings are getting. A special privilege today was riding up the chairlift with Olympic athletes and medal hopefuls: Errol Kerr, Jamaica and Ashleigh MacIvor, Canada.

Go Canada Ski Cross Go!!!!

What a beautiful day, bluebird skies, not a cloud in sight, no wind to speak of and a high of 4C degrees, Welcome to Vancouver 2010.

At Cypress Mountain, we’re officially at the halfway mark of the games. Medals for ladies & men have been handed out in three sports: Freestyle skiing moguls, Snowboard Halfpipe and Boarder Cross. Canadians have been well represented on the podium by Jenn Heil, Alexandre Bilodeau, Mike Robertson and Maelle Ricker. Other Canadians have performed to their personal best, many beating their bib number (current world ranking).

Heading into week 2: medal events on tap include: Freestyle Ski Cross, Aerials and wrapping up with Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom.

So far, what do you think? Are you surprised? proud? patriotic?…..

Started the day with a 5:15am departure on a Greyhound bus from Pacific Central station to Whistler Village. After a much needed snooze to start the ride, I could not believe the awesome views of the Tantalus Range basking in the sunrise light of early morning.

Once in the village, time to reorient myself, it’s been over 20 years since my last visit to Whistler and I cannot believe how much it’s changed. Got the chance to say Hi! to Bob Gibson, mountain host, whom I met at the Opening Ceremonies rehearsal night. He still has fond memories of the skiing at Jay Peak Resort, Vermont.

While waiting in line to purchase tickets, I was offered a chance to see the Cross-Country Skiing – Ladies’ 15km Pursuit at the Whistler Olympic Park for only $10. I thought: “Wow” the Games can be accessible to all!

A sport I do not totally understand yet you should have seen the effort put forth between skiers 2 through 4, either you win a medal or (worse) you do Not!

I bought a $40 general admission ticket to Skeleton and was treated to an Awesome experience. While standing with Knuckles and her friends, I learned about Skeleton. A sport I knew little about yet had to see in person, on the World’s stage. My friend, Tom, to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for the opportunity to volunteer at the Olympics, was up close & personal with Jimmy Shea. The Whistler Sliding Centre is totally visitor friendly and with a GA ticket, check out the access available.

Allison gave us the ‘lowdown’ on the ladies’ group. Apparently Karma lives on and integrity rules as those who did well, deserved it. Unfortunately, for Canada, Melissa Hollingsworth did not have the last run she hoped for and still made us proud!

Jon Montgomery not only made us Proud, he Won Gold! True to form, he got better as time went on and outperformed his competitors in the final heat. The crowd simply went ballistic as Jon completed his run and the last competitor lost time in the last half of his final run!

Skeleton may have surpassed moguls as my favourite Olympic sport, I cannot stand the wait for the upcoming 1st appearance for Ski Cross, it hits tomorrow!!! Stay tuned.

I read how the first 50 people in line will get to read the tram up to make up the Today Show audience. Tim and I had a plan, arrive at 2:30am with our Jay Peak jackets and get on to the Show!

When we arrived there had to be at least 200 people already in line 8-(

So, I walked down to customer service with my skis, volunteer credentials, etc. to see what could be done and the lady stuck a tram ticket in my hand and told me to hurry, chop-chop “you have to get on that tram!” She told me to go around the other side, don’t wait in line, to get going.

While 200+ people waited in line, Tim and I waltzed onto the tram and met USSA Freestyle Program Director, Michael Henderson. I had met Mike while volunteering at the Nature Valley World Cup Freestyle events at Whiteface a few weeks prior. His role was to accompany athletes Emily Cook, and Jeret “Speedy” Peterson to their interview on the show.

Once at the top, we followed the select group and acted as though we belonged. Security verified Mike’s credentials and he explained his role as chaperon. The next thing we notice is we are entering the “Green Room”!!!

We enjoyed coffee, croissants, juice; chatted with Mike while the Show’s guests were fitted with microphones and makeup. The lady from the Royal Canadian Mint was showing another guest the Olympic medals and before closing up the case, she asked, “does anybody else want to touch Gold?”. I was front and center: “Yes, please!”. Tim and I each held the Gold medal, simply incredible!!!

I touched Gold

During the Show, I stood beside where the Stars prepared to head outside to the set by the skating rink. I handed out Jay Peak, Vermont pins while shaking hands with BC Premier Gordon Campbell, Meredith Viera, Matt Lauer, Al Roker, Ann Curry, and Kristi Yamaguchi, unbelievable!

After the show, Michael Buble signed autographs for my wife and her friend, how cool was that?

Our plan for the afternoon was also cool, off to the Canada Ski Cross House to acquire some official gear. We hung with Cam Bailey, CEO of the Uber successful team, and his wife Beth. The official Descente team gear is awesome and as we were enthusiastic team supporters, Tim and I got official team lanyards with VIP passes! (Check out the post about the Victory party)

Having heard how exciting it was to get your hands in on “building the games”, I decided to head over to the Aerials site to check out the progress. I had met Nicolas Fontaine, original member of the Quebec Air Force and master builder of aerials sites, last year at Cypress and a few weeks ago in Lake Placid. This morning Nicolas was on top of things, literally, so I asked Francois if I could help out. He told me to grab a shovel and do the same as that guy. I was beside Grant, a volunteer from Ottawa and was now helping build the aerials’ jumps that will propel athletes to Olympic greatness, Unbelievable!!!

In the afternoon, on course for the snowboard cross, there is a multitude of French Canadians. I met Dominique and Remy, both in charge of course layout coordination, for the boarder cross and SuperPipe respectively.

Local vancouverites are starting to use public transportation, the feeling of community on the buses, standing in line, many common points to discuss, Elizabeth talked about how “there is so much to do in our city, especially in relation to the Olympics, it really is a time to get out and explore our own city”

Thanks Kathy!

And organizers have done a remarkable job in building and using “made in BC” products.

I visited the Torch Relay on its journey through the North Shore at the Lonsdale Quay, home of the Seabus and the Vanoc transportation hub for Cypress & Whistler Mountains. Having seen the torch pass by my daughter’s elementary school in Quebec 2 months earlier, I can say with certainty that the crescendo is building to monumental heights. The Lonsdale marketplace was jampacked with crazed fans, all vying for a spot where they could get close to or even just see the torch carried by an extremely proud runner.

I read in the local community newspaper than the “Red Cross” was in need of additional units of blood due to the additional demands on the City during the games. In true Olympic fashion, Commemorative 2010 pins will be handed out to all donors.

The “piece de resistance” of this first week is definitely the opportunity to watch the Opening Ceremony Final Rehearsal! Not only was I seated in the thirteenth row from where the snowboarder landed, the ticket was Free. 8-D

WOW!!! What a Show

While no pictures are allowed, I can tell you it was a spectacular show.

Of all the benefits of volunteering, the most appreciated day in, day out has to be: Free unlimited public transportation via BC Transit and Vanoc provided Coaches!

Similarly, locals have been encouraged to Get On Board! An objective for the Vancouver Olympic Committee was for the city to reduce personal vehicle traffic by more than 30% and to do so, the public transit system had to step up.

A tourist’s point of view: Wow! I can honestly say that the Service, let me repeat: SERVICE, has simply been extraordinary. The BC Transit staff; drivers, info personnel, etc. have all been Super friendly, very helpful and may have provided the City of Vancouver the best first impression that a tourist could ask for. Let’s remember, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.

Eh!!!

I am staying with a family in the Edgemont Village area of North Vancouver and the morning ride to Lonsdale Quay provided the proof: three or four different stops, folks get on the bus, stop to chat with Gary, the friendliest bus driver I’ve ever met, then take their seats. They compare notes on neighbourhood updates, kids, teens, local events, what a testament to a strong sense of community!

Bravo Vancouver, a great transit system hosted by nice, friendly people and did I mention; the system is clean, efficient and just text the five digit stop number to 33333 and you’ll know; they’re on time.

From a visiting tourist volunteer: Thank you!!!

What have you experienced, at home or away?