Like it or not, the Olympics are ending. The party is over. You don't have to go home, but you cannot stay in Vancouver.
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A look at the candidates for Canada's closing flag-bearer
- February 27, 2010 2:21 PM |
- By Erin Valois
Story provided by
By Eric Koreen, National Post
Like it or not, the Olympics are ending. The party is over. You don't have to go home, but you cannot stay in Vancouver.
Sunday night's closing ceremonies will officially end the Games, and the debate about who will carry the Canadian flag into B.C. Place will be prevalent the next day or so. The official announcement is expected Saturday night or early on Sunday.
Here are five of the major candidates for the honour:
Alexandre Bilodeau
Men's moguls gold medalist
His Case: Bilodeau won the first gold medal for Canada on home soil, with a surprise victory over Australia's Dale Begg-Smith on the first Sunday of the Olympics. Plus, he donated $25,000 to the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres, a move spawned by his brother, Frederic, who has cerebral palsy.
Joannie Rochette
Ladies' figure skating bronze medalist
Her Case: Rochette was the author of the most inspirational story of the Olympics for Canada. Rochette's mother died on Sunday, yet Rochette skated two days later, performing a flawless short program. Her free skate was not perfect, but she became the first Canadian woman since 1988 to win a medal in the event.
Ashleigh McIvor
Women's ski-cross gold medalist
Her Case: Not many athletes write essays in university to IOC boss Jacques Rogge, encouraging him to include their sport in the Olympics. That is what McIvor did as an 18-year-old student in 2002. Ski cross made its debut this year in the Olympics, and fittingly, one of its greatest advocates, McIvor, got the event's first gold.
Charles Hamelin
Men's short-track gold medalist in the 500-metre race and the 5,000-metre relay
His Case: His Olympic experience mirrored Canada's. He had a disappointing first week, failing to win a medal in two events. Still, he remained focused and ended up winning two gold medals within an hour of each other on Friday night. He is the only Canadian double gold medalist from these games.
Hayley Wickenheiser
Women's hockey gold medalist
Her Case: She has won gold medals in three consecutive Olympics, and captained the women's team this time around. Plus, she could come in with the flag, a beer and a cigar.
About the Author
- Bruce Arthur Bruce Arthur is the National Post's national sports columnist. A Vancouver native, he has been with the Post since 2001, and a columnist since 2005. He is covering his second Olympics, after the 2008 Games in Beijing. He expects these Games to be slightly less propagandistic, and for China to win slightly fewer medals.
- Joe O'Connor Joe O'Connor is a roving sports feature writer with an open-ended beat. He joined the National Post in 2002, and has spent the past seven years bouncing from sport to sport, offering fresh perspectives and delivering unique stories wherever he goes. Whether it has been getting Don Cherry to open up about his love life; George Chuvalo to talk about heartbreaking loss; or racing down the side of a mountain with former Crazy Canuck, Dave Irwin, the veteran Postie chases a story wherever it leads. Before joining the newspaper he was a two-time silver medalist at the National Magazine Awards. Vancouver will be his first Olympics.
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