CBC-Sports

I've been adopted! Twice!

September 16, 2009 12:26 PM | Posted by   Jessica Gregg  

Everything has been kind of a whirlwind since writing my last blog about making the Olympic team, but things are finally starting to settle in now and I am enjoying every moment as much as I can.

Amateur athletes in Canada are usually popular only once every four years, so we need to take advantage of that fact when we can. But with this winter's Olympics taking place in Canada, the media coverage seems to be better then ever. It’s exciting to see some of my teammates in commercials every time I turn on the TV, and the sports section full of updates about other athletes.

One of the most exciting opportunities I have had so far is being a part of the Adopt an Athlete program put on by the Canadian Olympic Committee. Athletes get paired up with a school and visit the students a couple times during the year as well as stay in touch through e-mail. In turn, the school organizes a couple of fundraisers to help offset training costs for the athletes.

I was lucky enough to get paired with Westglen Elementary School in my hometown of Edmonton. I had already planned to go home to visit with family after the Canadian Olympic trials, so it worked out that I could go and visit the school during their first week back.

I didn’t really know what to expect, but I was excited to meet the kids and see the school. I was welcomed at the front door by students holding pom-poms, and smiling faces as the students assembled in the gymnasium.

World Cup season begins

The plan called for a presentation to the students explaining what the Olympics are all about, followed by a question and answer period. Then I was able to share some things about my sport of short track speed skating and talk about my future goals.

I couldn’t believe how excited all the kids were to see me, and then they started to chant my name in the middle of the assembly! It was definitely one of the moments you have to savour and remember when the training gets tough. The fact that I could have such an impact on a group of kids filled me with a tremendous sense of joy and satisfaction. That’s one of the best perks of being an athlete.

It gets better. I recently found out that another elementary school — this one in Ponoka, Alta. — wants to "adopt" me as well. After going to Westglen, I couldn’t refuse another offer like that and I am excited to be involved with two schools now!

Other than being busy with the media, I have been right back into the training routine as our first set of competitions are coming up quickly. In a few days, my coach and I will join the other Montreal-based skaters in Beijing for the first stop on the World Cup circuit. The event is being held September 17-20, with the second World Cup the following weekend in Seoul, Korea. These first races will give us a good idea of where everyone stands in the rankings before competing in the Olympic Qualifier World Cups in early November.

I'm really looking forward to racing again and traveling with the team. With the Olympics in focus, this year will be a lot different from the others. But that also means it will be very exciting.

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