Jennifer Heil wins Canada’s first Gold medal
Indeed, as reported by fellow Canadian Jeremy Wright on this blog entry.
4 years after a heartbreaking 4th place in Salt Lake City, perseverance proved successful for Jennifer Heil.
Her boyfriend and coach of the Japanese women moguls team, Dominick Gauthier, said in a radio interview yesterday that Heil was relaxed and enjoying her experience. He also added she was pushing herself in training runs, just enough not to lose her edge. In his opinion, that’s the key to winning at the Olympics: keep focused, but act cool. It proved to work wonderfully for Heil. Dominick’s Japanese protégée Aiko UEMURA did fairly well, but came short of a podium with a 5th place. Other Canadians were Kristi Richards (7th), Audrey Robichaud (8th) and Stéphanie St-Pierre (12th). Full results can be consulted here.
Jennifer’s Gold medal is Canada’s first of what is expected to be a record year for Canada, medal wise.
Canada changed its passive attitude towards amateur sports after Salt Lake City (2002). Although financing is not what it could be, efforts are made and results are expected. In fact, there are even numbers that the national comitee came up with: either 25 medals or a 5th place in the standings overall.
The medias in Canada tell us that Canada is going to the games not to participate, but to win. Because let’s face it, even though it’s true that in the spirit of the games, participation is key, winning a medal is a life changing experience, and the more the merrier. Canadians want their athletes to be winners.
Congratulations again Jennifer, and may you have given Canada the boost it needs to keep getting those Gold donut shaped medals.
brem
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