Our residents who got to experience the Vancouver Winter Games first hand say it is something they will never forget.
17 year old Palmer Taylor of Collingwood competed in the women’s half pipe snowboard competition.
And even though she didn’t finish with her personal best score — Taylor tells us she “went for it” and had “a very good experience.”
Taylor tells Bayshore Broadcasting News she was amazed by everything — from the opening ceremonies to the closing ceremonies.
Taylor says she was at both the Men’s and Women’s Olympic hockey finals and she says the games will be something she will never forget.
Taylor says she also made very good friends with members of the Switzerland Women’s hockey team.
Kevin Hooper of Meaford was one of six chiropractors to work in the Olympic village.
Hooper tells Bayshore Broadcasting News it was an experience of a lifetime.
And Hooper hopes there will be another chance to go to another Olympics because he would jump at the opportunity.
Canadian Olympic Hall of Famer Brian Wakelin watched the Winter Games from his home in Southampton.
But he says the Vancouver Olympics were the best ever.
Wakelin — a former chef de mission with the Canadian Olympic team — says there were so many magical moments — including the patriotism felt by all Canadians.
Wakelin — who has been to six Olympics — says “you can’t buy the goodwill that Canada got from the past 17 days.”
He says the World will look favourably on Canada even moreso now — and predicts we won’t have to wait as long to host the next Games.
Wakelin thinks the Own the Podium program was a success — and he feels the federal government should keep funding the program.
Wakelin would also like to see more sponsors fund the program and he thinks that will happen.
Taylor hopes there will be more funding for athletes — she says the female snowboarders didn’t receive as much money as the men.