Martin Brodeur, Angela Ruggiero: Olympic Level Health and Attitude

                               photo: Lisa Ovens
                        
by Lisa Ovens

As I watch the Winter Olympics, I am reminded about the fitness level our athletes have achieved before they even get close to winning a medal. Not to mention the mental side of competition.


A gold medal goalie and a gold/ sliver medal defenseman know about the pressure they face as their Olympic tournaments move forward. Here are two hockey player quotes from GE's Healthymagination presser and Healthy Heroes skate on Friday morning. Then I get a little ranty near the end...
 
 "When you go out every day to perform, you have to take care of yourself. A healthy lifestyle is not just exercise or eating right, it's an attitude as well." Martin Brodeur Team Canada

Everyone is pretty much saying today's men's ice hockey game between Team Canada and Team USA will be like a "TSN Turning Point" in the men's tournament, or a possible pairing for the gold medal game.
It also promises to be a physical affair, with Canadian fans hoping their team will pick up that part of their game for Team USA. One thing I am confident in is Brodeur and his "attitude". Let's hope that winning attitude will rub off on the defenders in front of him (Yeah, I'm talking about you, Pronger).

 "I always have this incredible team of doctors, physical therapists and nutritionists to support me. A program like healthymagination gives all of us the tools and support to help achieve those goals." -Angela Ruggiero, defenseman, Team USA

Angela Ruggiero and her teammates are tied with Team Canada at nine points. As much as we've seem some exciting games between more evenly match teams in the women's tournament, everyone is patiently waitng for Canada and USA to meet.  Will that temporarily shut up the sports media pundits crying for "mercy rules" and the women's game to be dropped from the Olympics? Probably not.
 
When it comes to Olympic hockey, I consider female hockey players to be "the unsung healthy heroes".

Not only do female hockey players have to be in top physical condition, they apparently need an extra layer  of mental toughness to block out the predominately male sports media criticizing them during the Olympics and then ignoring them for four years. I swear... it's like clockwork.

Gimme Shelter: UBC Students Will!

By Lisa Ovens

2010 Count down clock...when it's not raining

Some exciting news from the University of British Columbia: a competition was held for architecture and planning students to see which team could come up with the best design for a temporary pavilion to be constructed on Granville Street between West Georgia and Dunsmuir Streets. The winners of the First Annual Spacemakers Competition will have the opportunity to showcase their talent and creativity to Vancouver and the world during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The teams had 24 hours to design a space that will dazzle Olympic enthusiasts, and keep them comfortable and dry should it be raining buckets in February. The pavilion, located on a pedestrian only downtown street, will be alive with people: it’s close to the entrances of Pacific Centre Mall, the Hudson’s Bay Company (2010 Olympic Superstore) and the entrance to the Granville Street Skytrain Station. An estimated 6000 people will be passing through the area daily during the games. Rain or Shine, it’s another venue to experience.

photo: ralphlauren.com

Speaking of the 2010 Olympic Superstore... I was passing through it the other day and noticed a “Team USA” apparel section under construction. Polo Ralph Lauren designed Team USA’s Closing Ceremony outfits, and they are looking pretty sharp. The merchandisers told me the full collection with be on display over the next two weeks. The Team USA department is actually located just outside of the little white fence dividing the Superstore from the “regular” Hudson's Bay departments on the main floor. When you eye ball the situation, Team USA is in the opposite corner from Team Canada’s corner. Let’s hope there aren’t any rumbles by the Shiseido counter.

Speaking of rain, it’s still soaking us, and is supposed to continue into the weekend. Perhaps Mother Nature is just using up February’s supply of rain now, so we’ll have beautiful, spring like conditions during the Olympics. It’s happened before....