Having the Games on home soil made it that much easier to justify packing my bags and calling Vancouver home for the month of February. Even though I've walked off the performance mat for the last time, sport is still my life and I knew I needed to be here and experience this all firsthand.
 
Retiring after the 2008 Olympic Games had always been my plan, but I never thought it would be so difficult. As the hype for 2010 grew over the last few months, it became harder and harder for me to not miss my old life. This is not a coming out of retirement piece, believe me, but a big part of why I needed to come to Vancouver.

After competing in Beijing and feeling like such a big part of the Olympics, it was hard to imagine sitting on my couch at home while we were hosting the next Games in our country. I couldn't do it.
 
So I signed my name to volunteer for the Canadian Olympic Committee and hoped I'd be one of the lucky ones chosen. Sport would fall apart if we didn't have people willing to volunteer their time to run clubs, competitions, coach or judge and I know we've all been there for our kids, teammates or communities. There was no better way I could think of to help out Team Canada this year than give them my time.
 
Becoming a part of the Canadian Olympic House crew here in downtown Vancouver has shown me what Canadian pride and spirit is really all about. We're that safe and relaxed environment our Team is looking for when they need to get away from the public eye and the media. Athletes use it as a sanctuary to come to where they can spend time with their family and friends away from the Olympic madness that has spread across the city. Groups gather here to watch our athletes represent this country and all medal winners come to us to celebrate their success.
 
The families that I have met and the incredible athletes I have spoken to have made these Olympic Games for me. I hear the stories of parents who against all odds made it out to Vancouver to watch their son compete, a sister so proud of her brother she can't stop the tears or athletes who have missed out on a medal by the slimmest of margin. Every day I listen to people who have their whole hearts in these Games and every day I see people's lives change.

For each athlete you see on television, there are hundreds of people supporting them.  You don't get to see them, but during these  Olympic Games I have. No matter what happens, as an athlete, you know that your family and friends will always be there for you. They won't be disappointed in you, they won't ask you tough questions in front of a live audience and definitely won't criticize your performance. They believe in you and always will.