Olympic Memories!!

So I must admit that I completely neglected my blogging duties whilst in Whistler for the Olympics, so sorry! I can promise you though that my reasons were legit. I was working 25 days straight from 8 a.m. until at least midnight (when we won a medal that was another story). By the time March 1st hit, I was a complete and utter zombie...but a happy zombie to say the least.

Looking back on it now I am so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to work alongside some of the countries most amazing communicators and the worlds most elite athletes. I was hired to be an assistant in the Canadian Olympic Team's media office but with most of the journalists needs being met down in Vancouver at the PanPacific my role changed drastically. Suddenly, I was taking athletes to interviews with TSN's very own Jen Hedger and Michael Landsberg, being a security guard during impromptu media scrums in the streets, and on one occasion I was a guest on Much Music's MOD. Yes, I got in a hot tub with hot Olympic athletes and a Much VJ....some may think I am crazy, believe me it was not easy! haha BUT, when was I ever going to have that chance ever again? I had no choice in my eyes. I was going to suck it up, slap a smile on my face and enjoy the company (Canadian female Luge team) while chillin in a hot tub on national television at the freaking Olympics!!!!

Each day was a new and exciting adventure, and when we finally started winning medals in Whistler the atmosphere went from bumpin to party central. You couldn't walk down the streets without hearing people singing "O Canada" at the top of their lungs. Jon Montgomery was the first to win in Whistler and he is by far one of the coolest people I've ever met (well other than Sir. Richard Branson who was there with us when Jon-o won Gold). Not only was he an amazing athlete, but he was one of the nicest men ever. Take for example, the Saturday after his Olympic Gold, Joe our driver was down in Vancouver enjoying a hockey game, Kendra the office Manager was from Toronto and had never driven a car in her life, so by default I was now Jon's driver! Well first of all, I got lost trying to find the VISA reception he was to be the guest of honour at "No problem" he said. Then, after dropping tickets off at his family's condo for the medal ceremony that night I was having a minor heart attack trying to back our big black SUV back down possibly the most steep and narrow driveway I had ever seen, when he looked at me and said " You're not cool with this are you??" I looked at him trying to keep a straight face and said " Honestly, no I am not. I drive a VW Golf every day!" and with that he burst out laughing and demanded that I get out and he back "This puppy up". So that's exactly what I did. He is from Manitoba after all... just a good farm boy who knows how to drive a big rig. From that moment on he would become my favorite.

I have nothing but praise for VANOC, the COC and the thousands of volunteers who helped make this the best Olympics the world has ever seen. I can only hope that come 2012 in London I am a part of the team once again!