Sochi is how many days away?!

77. It’s hard to believe we are on the cusp of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. It seems like only yesterday Canada was preparing to welcome the world in Vancouver. Now, it’s Sochi’s turn.

Regardless of the event or sport, expectations for Canadian athletes are high. The team will be looking to duplicate and hopefully exceed their outstanding efforts in 2010, where Canada finished at the top of the medal rankings with 26 (14 gold, 7 silver, 5 bronze).

The Opening Ceremony flag bearer will soon be announced. I’m predicting hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser gets the call. This will likely be her last go at the Olympics. It would be a fitting way to honour an athlete who has done so much for her sport, not only in Canada, but around the world. She’s also one of the proudest Canadians you’ll ever meet. Her teammate, Danielle Goyette, carried the maple leaf in 2006.

As we inch closer to February 7th, here are some key links to get you up-to-date with what’s been happening with the red and white, in each discipline:

Alpine Canada

Biathlon Canada

Bobsleigh Canada Skelton

Canada Snowboard

Canadian Curling Association

Canadian Freestyle Skiing Association

Canadian Luge Association

Hockey Canada

Nordic Combined Canada

Skate Canada

Ski Jumping Canada

Speed Skating Canada

Official links:

Canadian Olympic Team Website

Canadian Olympic Team Collection (Hudson’s Bay)

Sochi Games 2014

Celebrate ’88: 25 years later, but feels like yesterday

February 13th, 2013 marks the 25th anniversary of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in my beautiful homecity of Calgary.

25 years. A quarter of a century. Wow. I was quite young when the world was welcomed by Calgary, but I’m reminded of the wonderful event on a daily basis. All I need to do is look west to see Canada Olympic Park. While I was going to university, I walked by the Olympic Oval on my way to class. When you go skating at Olympic Plaza downtown, you just need to look around to see constant reminders of those amazing two weeks.

One of the most memorable images of 1988 is the logo. It remains very unique, combining the city and country through the letter C and includes one of Canada’s most well known symbols, the maple leaf, and an outline of a snowflake.

The 1988 Olympic Winter Games are also unforgettable because of the emergence of pin collecting. People from all  over the world gathered at pin “hubs” across the city, trying to add to their collections through trades. The pin phenomenon is still mainstay at both the Summer and Winter Games.

The 1988 mascots, Hidy and Howdy, had a true Calgary flare. Not only were they polar bears, but they (of course!) also donned their cowboy gear to play hommage to the Stampede. It was tough not smile when I picked up this Hidy and Howdy pin at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. SunIce jackets were worn by Olympic volunteers. From time to time, you see them make an appearance around the city and it makes you chuckle a little bit. The distinct 80s style and pastel colours are pretty hard to miss. I did a quick scour of eBay and if you’re interested in picking up one of these gems, it’s going to set you back anywhere from $80.00 to over $300.00.

How about this song? “Can You Feel It?” was penned by master Canadian composer David Foster and gives me goosebumps to this day. All you need to do is hear the first five seconds and you’ll be flooded with memories. The composition may have an 80s synth sound, but it’s so memorable, the piece is used during the Bellagio Hotel fountain show in Las Vegas.

There’s not enough space to mention all of the athletes and amazing moments from 1988. All I will say is The Battle of the Brians, Eddie the Eagle, and the Jamaican bobsled team. Personally, my favorite memory is Elizabeth Manley capturing silver in figure skating at the Saddledome. She had a delightful, up-tempo routine in a pink gown and became a true Calgarian when she popped on a white Stetson.

What do you remember? Celebrate 88!

Sights from the FIS Freestyle World Cup in Calgary

During the winter months, nothing is better than a sunny Saturday afternoon in Calgary at the ski hill. The FIS Freestyle World Cup made one of its only two Canadian stops at Canada Olympic Park with hundreds of fans on hand to get a preview of the athletes before the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games. There was plenty of Canadian content including 2010 Olympic hero and gold medalist Alexandre Bilodeau, Mikael Kingsbury, Simon Pouliot-Cavanagh, Marc-Antoine Gagnon, Philippe Marquis and Pascal-Olivier Gagne.

Canada’s Alexandre Bilodeau at the FIS Freestyle World Cup in Calgary on January 26, 2013.

Japan’s Sora Yoshikawa at the FIS Freestyle World Cup in Calgary on January 26, 2013.

Canada’s Simon Pouliot-Cavanagh at the FIS Freestyle World Cup in Calgary on January 26, 2013.

France’s Albert Bedouet at the FIS Freestyle World Cup in Calgary on January 26, 2013.

Team Germany at the FIS Freestyle World Cup in Calgary on January 26, 2013.

Canada’s Cedric Rochon at the FIS Freestyle World Cup in Calgary on January 26, 2013.

USA’s Joe Discoe at the FIS Freestyle World Cup in Calgary on January 26, 2013.

Thanks to the great folks at Canada Olympic Park and WinSport Canada for putting on a tremendous, world-class event. The facility continues to attract the best competitors from around the globe.

With the Davis Cup less than a month away, let’s talk possible rosters

Davis Cup

Vancouver is preparing to host another round of the Davis Cup Feb 1-3, 2013. This may or may not be the biggest challenge Canada has ever faced. So, why the fence-sitting? Rafael Nadal could be there, but signs are pointing he won’t be. He’s already pulled out of the first Major of the year and with Spain heading to Canada shortly after the Australian Open, it’s unlikely he will be taking part. David Ferrer is also an unknown and his absence could be an even bigger loss than Nadal’s. In 2012, Ferrer was a perfect 6-0 in Davis Cup singles matches and gave his country a chance in the finals against the eventual winners, the Czech Republic. Right there, Spain’s main one-two punch is gone.

Where does this leave Canada? The red and white are likely to be made up of Milos Raonic, Daniel Nestor, Vasek Pospisil and junior phenom Filip Peliwo. Jesse Levine recently decided to play for Canada, but likely won’t be eligible for Davis Cup action just yet. Even so, that’s a solid Canadian line-up. The heavy lifting will be done by Raonic in singles and Nestor/Pospisil in doubles. Peliwo may not see the court, but being part of the official roster will do wonders for this talented young man. He was already on hand last fall when Canada retained their World Group spot by winning their tie over South Africa. In fact, he was initiated on court when he was forced to do Gangnam Style to the delight of the Montreal  crowd  and laughter of his teammates.

I believe, baring any injuries, that will be the roster submitted by Tennis Canada. It’s due 10 days before the start of the tie and certainly anything can happen from now until then. Without Nadal and Ferrer, Spain will likely send Nicolas Almagro, Marc Lopez  and Marcel Granollers. That leaves a spot open with Juan Carlos Ferrero retiring in 2012.

Canada and Spain have only met once in the Davis Cup. That was back in 1991 and the Spaniards came out on top 4-1.