August 24 - Canada Games: Week 2 in the True Sport/CCES Booth
Well we are off to a wet start! Showers welcomed the athletes to their first 2 days of competition but have no fear, all athletes had huge smiles on their faces. The booth has been visited by swimmers, track and field athletes, wrestlers and para-athletic athletes. It is amazing to talk to so many people that have heard about True Sport across the country and equally as exciting to spread the word further.
If you are near Charlottetown, PEI stop by the Canada Games and say hi. True Sport is located in the sponsor tent.
Submitted by:
Ashley Lethbridge
Community Animator, Western Region
August 23 - Week one goodbyes…
As the first week finished up here in Summerside I think it is safe to say that it was a success. You would have been hard pressed to visit a venue by the end of last week and not have seen at least one True Sport fling ring being tossed around. The athletes really enjoyed them and I would like to give special thanks to a couple of the hard working volunteers who helped distribute them to the athletes on the busses and at the village. It’s my hope that everyone enjoyed themselves while they were here regardless of how they were involved. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that the storm doesn’t cause the host society any further trouble, and that all visitors arrive home safely. The Canada Games have been a great time! Good luck to all the athletes competing during week two in Charlottetown!!
August 19 - Week 1 Continues
Competition’s heating up here in week one of the Canada Summer Games! The 30 plus weather that we’ve been experiencing over the past few days is apparently quite unusual for the island and hopefully not slowing down the athletes too much. We have seen a lot more athletes as the week goes on; as they finish up their competitions and find themselves with a bit more free time to explore and take in some of the different events. A few members of the boys’ PEI triathlon team picked up a pile of True Sport fling rings for their team as they raced through the sponsor tent this morning to catch their bus back to athletes’ village. It was nice to meet some representatives from the city of Sherbrooke, a long time True Sport community, who stopped by to say hello and voice their ongoing commitment to the True Sport Movement. Girls from the New Brunswick beach volleyball team as well as a couple of girls from the Ontario softball team just stopped by to suit up in True Sport stickers, wrist bands, and tattoos on their way to cheer on their teammates. We’re half way through week one and True Sport is alive in Summerside!
August 16 - True Sport Arrival at the 2009 Canada Summer Games in Prince Edward Island
The games are off to a great start! We arrived at the airport Saturday afternoon to a wonderful group of volunteers. They helped us sort out a few small hiccups and I was on my way to the Sponsor Village at Summerside. You could feel the energy at the Credit Union place as athletes and their families exited from the Opening Ceremonies. The Sponsor Village is located right next to the beach volleyball venue and the high energy crowds and music help to make this a very energetic location. Athletes are really enjoying the True Sport fling rings and are extremely thankful for the True Sport playing cards to help eat up some of their downtime. Both athletes and spectators are really appreciative of the opportunity to send well wishes to our National Speed Skating teams by signing the True Sport banners we have available at the booth. The positive energy here is incredible!
Submitted by:
Kasey Liboiron
Community Animator, Eastern Region
August 23 - Week One Wrap Up
Well week one has come to an end at the Canada Games. For sailing we had some tough last few days. All of our athletes were within one point of their competitor. In the end our Ontario Sailing team finished very well. We ended up each fleet medaling with the 29er girls with gold, 29er boys silver, laser and radial both with bronze medals! Way to go team!
Our motto for the week really was “GO FOR IT!” So many times when the sailors had to rise to the challenge and keep their position. The other provinces were great competitors.
August 16 - Canada Games - Arrival, Opening, Practice Day
The Ontario sailors arrived late Friday evening to a very warm PEI. The trip out on our charter flight was exciting and there was a big welcoming crew for us on the island. Night one took some time to settle in to our very tight sleeping quarters but Saturday morning brought more excitement with a Team Ontario Pep rally. Following that we suited up in our Ontario outfits and went off to Opening Ceremonies. Opening was a lot of fun. The entire stadium was packed and the cheering was incredible. Following Opening Ceremonies we headed to the site to unload the boats, get measured and get set up for our practice day. Outlook looks alright!!
Submitted by:
Ashley Lethbridge
Team Ontario Sailing Coach
