Thursday, February 7, 2002
Cat needs biggest fan
By ERIC FRANCIS -- Calgary Sun
SALT LAKE CITY -- The eyes of the world will be on Catriona Le May Doan tomorrow night when she leads the Canadian team into the 19th Winter Olympics.
However, it's the watchful eye of her husband that has her much more concerned heading into the Games.
Counting heavily on the instruction and moral support Bart Doan has provided for her at every major race since 1995, there is some doubt as to whether he'll be able to assume the same trackside position she considers crucial to her success.
"He's always at the same spot in the backstretch, just going into the corner," explained the 31-year-old flag-bearer many expect to be Canada's Medal Queen at these Games.
"He helps bring me up when I need to get up and down when I need to come down. When I'm in a good race, I'm really aware of things and I'll know he's there. If he wasn't there, I'd notice it."
The fear now is that due to tight Olympic security, as well as the unique setup of the Utah Oval, she may not have her beloved security blanket at ice level when the gold-medal favourite laces up for the two biggest races of her life.
"It's been hard to try to get him over there," said the Saskatoon native who calls Calgary home.
"He was on a volunteer list and went through the security checks but that's risky because he could be called off (to perform some duties). I said, 'Bart, if you need to get arrested 10 minutes after the race, that's fine but I need you in that corner.' "
A rodeo cowboy who met his bride while working on the ice at the Olympic Oval, Bart said he'll do everything in his power to get to his "assigned position," as he calls it.
"Yes, the Olympics is big and security is tight but I've got to get down there somehow," said the 35-year-old, who was trackside when she won gold and bronze in the 500m and 100m respectively in Nagano.
"We're still trying to get a definite yes (from Canadian Olympic officials) because it will just give her peace of mind knowing everything is normal. I told her that no matter what, I'm jumping the railing to be down there and she says 'yeah, out of the corner of my eye I'll see guys with guns hauling you off.' "
While not an expert, Bart says Catriona has taught him enough about the sport to help her before, during and after a race.
World record holder and undefeated in the 500m this year, Catriona enters her fourth and likely final games with a healthy attitude that should be evident in her smile tomorrow night.
"I just want to enjoy everything to the fullest and remember every moment," said Catriona, who carried the flag for the closing ceremonies in Nagano and shrugs off talk that carrying the flag is bad luck.
"I just want to slow things down, look around me and take an imprint of all of it. In 20 years from now, those are the memories we're going to take away with us and those are the things that are important."
As golden girl of the Canadian athletes expected to bring home a record medal haul, Le May Doan will lead the red and white contingent tomorrow with the blessing of all those behind her, including Elvis Stojko.
"It's great she's carrying it -- she's been doing well, very well, and she's been on the team a long time," said Stojko, who some suggested should carry the flag.
"It's a big responsibility and there's a lot that goes with it. I would have loved to carry it but I respect their decision. Maybe I'll carry it for the closing if everything goes well."
If indeed everything goes well, Bart won't be wearing handcuffs when Catriona needs him most.
2002 Games Columnists
