With YOG reporter Kimiya, at VANOC HQ

Had an interview last week with the Youth Olympic Games reporter, Kimiya Shokoohi, at the VANOC compound AKA The Westin Bayshore. I got to really express why I believe that the Cultural Education aspects of the Youth Olympic Games are important. Check out the story on my site, about halfway down the Olympic.org YOG section here.

I haven’t written in a few days, just been enjoying the experience. Earlier today, (or I suppose yesterday), I went over the Westin Bayshore, which is now VANOC headquarters, and home to all the IOC people that make an Olympics happen. I met the people involved with the social media generation of the Games, which was pretty cool. There were Olympic posters all over the place, a simple campaign that shows the power of the Olympic brand. The art for these posters was so simple, all you have to do is throw the Olympic rings on the top and all of a sudden it’s profound. Oh the power of a brand.

I was there to be interviewed by a young reporter about my Youth Olympic Games Ambassador role. It was a great experience because I was able to really articulate why and how I wanted to make a difference in Singapore later this summer. I believe in the respect that the Games hope to develop between young people. It’s really important to me.

People talk about the commercialization of the Games. Sure, it’s big business. But there’s a reason for that. It is because the movement is simple and pure and you can use that to sell something. At the end of the day, this transaction doesn’t diminish the true impact of the Olympic movement. Part of that is the leadership and respect that the Olympic dream fosters among young people. I hope that is never forgotten in the argument.

If there’s anything that usually irks Canadians, it is getting made fun of. I must admit, in the past few days, with all the missteps and accompanying negative press, I can’t help but begin to feel a little defensive. The proud Canadian inside of me says, “Hey! Stop bugging me, I’m trying my best, after all, isn’t that what matters?”

But there’s another story that all the major broadcasters miss, especially those that beam their message from south of the 49^th parallel.

The story is that we are doing things differently, we are an innovative country, and we are taking risks.

Should Olympic events be taking place at Cypress, so close to the city heat with balmy temperatures? Maybe not. But is it the absolute best venue for the events hoping to be hosted there? Under ideal conditions, absolutely.

On to speed skating from last night. Ok, so the Olympia ice machines were a bad idea. But we are trying to be the greenest games ever, and such a goal means taking risks, like choosing electric ice machines instead of the alternative Zambonis. If the Olympics were all about the athletes, Zamboni would have been the first choice. But they aren’t. It’s about the Olympic values, and using the movement’s power to effect change. So what the athletes had to adjust their warm ups! These guys are pros, ultimately the Games are about more than performance, and the choice of Olympia machines proves that we Canadians understand that.

And finally…the cauldron lighting, well ahem, 75% of it. Get over it. It was an amazing show. Rich with Canadian artistry, history and grandeur. Boiling the merit of an entire performance down to a jammed stage door just shows the shallowness of so many news outlets, both here at home and abroad. I was a part of that show, and I am proud of it. Again, they took a risk by going for the initial lighting inside a building, the first ever, and as we say up here, 3 outta 4 ain’t half bad

Hey! This isn't our fault!

The Republic of Korea

A few days later, I am quite sure that there isn’t any way of describing Friday night. But I will try. It was more exhilarating and magical that I could ever have imagined. Upon arrival at BC Place, there was an electric atmosphere among our little group of placard bearers. We have all developed a degree of camaraderie and so it was nice to share the evening with some familiar faces.

The few hours in holding flew by, and before we knew it we were lined up ready to accept our placards and march into our ready position. To be honest, all day I was anxious, but as soon as I was in my costume everything changed. I was just excited. I mean, what did I have to be nervous about, I had to walk in a circle and I’d done in about 20 times.

About an hour before show time, there was a rumble down ring road in BC Place. It wasn’t Gretzky, it wasn’t Steve Nash. They had already elicited a cheer hours earlier. This time, it was a country. It was Greece. The athletes.

For the next hour or so, the athletes poured into the building, each with their own anxiety and nervousness. Before long it was time to cut in between them, and line up on the inside of ring road. The athletes actually cheered for us! I can imagine the wonder at seeing those “frozen” placards all labeled with the countries about to walk the floor.

I practiced my Korean in line, and by the time I was united with my team, The Republic of Korean, and the flag bearer Kang…I was ready. Rounding the corning to the entry point, with blue and silver light spilling onto the ramp, I couldn’t help my heart from literally pounding through my chest. The choreographers waved me up to the standby point and I proudly raised my placard into position, I could feel the air coming off the flag behind me and then, “whoosh”, down drops the arm of the stage manager and off I go.

It wasn’t so much the noise of the crowd, the lights or the grandeur of the stage. For me, it was leading a group of athletes into the beginning of a beautiful moment. It was being a part of an experience I never had myself, and sharing their abundance of joy and pride.

It was amazing.

Part THREE

There is nothing to explain the rush of marching out in front of 60,000 people. The boom from the stadium as every country is announced.

And it’s not even the real thing yet.

There were plenty of superstars in the building tonight, but I can’t talk about any of it, so I’ll let the excitement build for Friday. All I can say is that it’s amazing to rub shoulders with some of the coolest Canadians in our young history.

I’m completely exhausted, trying to fit in rehearsals with work and other commitments. It’s all going to be worth it. I know. I can’t wait, two more sleeps to one of the most meaningful days of my young life.

Part ONE

The Olympic city is getting louder.

The village opens tomorrow, and will welcome all the athletes, coaches and support staff, many of whom are already in the city!

I am excited. Sort of anxious, but looking forward to what the next three and a half weeks will hold. I have rehearsal tonight, as it becomes crunch time for the Olympic Opening Ceremonies crew to pull off what will be an amazing show.

Not only that, but yesterday I had an inspiring meeting with one of my clients, Georgia Simmerling. She was added to the Olympic Alpine Ski team last week. Yes, a newly minted Olympian.

Georgia just returned from speeding down hills in St. Moritz, just in time to go rip down some more hills in Alberta, (Nakiska for training), before it will be race time in Whistler. It’s a really exciting time for her, and an honour to be helping out.

It was great to get a sense of her anticipation and remember what it was like to behold the Olympic dream. It can be an overwhelming thing, but she seems content, and focused on what is next. Racing for Canada.

I am going to be writing a lot over the next while, as well as at http://www.ngfarrell.com/blog so keep updated here and there. And get out there! It’s going to be fun!

Georgia Simmerling, Olympic Alpine Ski Team

Life is kind of awesome right now.

I know for a fact that most of don’t say that often enough. Well, we should. In the venerable words of Louis CK, “Everything is awesome and nobody is happy.” On the point of, “happy”, I have a reminder programmed into my crackberry that plays a chord at noon, (I think it’s a D sharp), saying simply, “Happy?” Sometimes I yell back at the screen, “NO!” At which point I almost always laugh because, hell, that’s ridiculous. Life is always kind of awesome. And we should be thankful.

(I write this in earnest given the current situation in Haiti, for ways to help check out: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Canadians+help+quake+victims/2436887/story.html)

Ok moving on.

ONE

I am getting the opportunity to go to Singapore this summer, with Canada’s athletes, who will compete and experience the first ever Youth Olympic Games! I am called the COC’s YOG Ambassador and well, needless to say, I am totally stoked. Yes, stoked. Apparently, while most college males are stoked, so are most post-college males.

Report: Most College Males Admit To Regularly Getting Stoked

TWO

Damn, my better judgment prohibits me from giving any information related to what I previously determined as a very blog-worthy topic. (I decided not to write about this about 20 seconds ago, sorry) All I can say is that it is AWESOME, and Olympic related. Once it is said and done you’ll hear all about it. Trust me.

THREE

With the Olympics approaching, sport coverage will be everywhere. (Sidenote: the NG Farrell offices are a block from BC Place, and Canada Hockey Place, Olympic celebrations are welcome to find their way here!)

In my role as a BC Athlete Voice Board member, it’s my duty to pump an amazing cause associated with amateur sport. BC sport funding will be cut in half next year, which would be a shame after what will be Canada’s Olympics in every way. Can you help me out? Go to www.thumbsupforfundingsport.ca and help the cause.

Adam Kreek, Thumbs Up for BC's Athletes!

That’s it for now! My three reasons why life is kind of awesome. What are yours?