Saturday, January 19, 2002
Catriona's thrilled
By ERIC FRANCIS -- Calgary Sun
Equating it to a marriage proposal, Catriona Le May Doan almost forgot to say "I do" when asked if she'd accept the honour of carrying the Canadian flag at the opening ceremonies of the Salt Lake Winter Olympic Games Feb. 8.
Informed by Canadian chef de mission Sally Rehorick she had been chosen by a selection committee to lead Canada's 156 athletes into Rice-Eccles Stadium, the 31-year-old Calgary speed skater said yesterday she was in a state of disbelief.
"I was sort of speechless, kind of wowed by it all and I guess I hadn't officially said yes," beamed the Saskatoon native via satellite from Norway where she'll compete in the world sprint championships starting today.
"It was like a marriage proposal -- I guess until you hear the real word 'yes', you kind of wait expectantly to see what the answer is. (Rehorick) asked if I was saying yes and I said `of course I am.' It was such a wonderful phone call."
While figure skater Elvis Stojko, downhiller Edi Podivinsky or perhaps even Mario Lemieux were considered for the honour, the radiant Calgary resident was the most logical choice.
Besides, she's had the most practice.
Having carried the Canadian flag at the Olympic closing ceremonies in Nagano after a gold and bronze medal showing in 1998, the classy skater has an idea of just how powerful the moment will be.
"It will certainly be one of the most memorable moments of my life," said the reigning 500-metre world record holder, who is undefeated at that distance this season.
"There are so many candidates that would be perfect to carry the flag. If we could have 20 or 30 people carrying the flag, we'd all be doing it together. We just have such a great country built with so many wonderful athletes and wonderful representatives. It's such an honour to carry the Canadian flag -- the best flag in the entire world."
Shortly after the Canadian team was officially announced at a Calgary news conference, former Crazy Canuck Dave Irwin made a stirring flag presentation to Rehorick in salute of the bilingual Le May Doan. Irwin, who is still recovering from a near-fatal ski accident, was selected flag bearer in 1976 before a pre-Olympic crash prompted him to pass on the honour.
Canadian teammates on hand for the announcement yesterday were extremely supportive of Le May Doan's appointment.
In light of the Sept. 11 tragedies, Le May Doan was philosophical about the importance of the Games this time around.
"It's just going to be an example to the world that all these countries can come together in celebration of peace and for the love and purity of competing in sport," said the soon-to-be four-time Olympian, who figures this will be her last Winter Games.
"That's what the Olympics are all about -- the spirit of the Games. I think this is so important, especially with the Games being in the United States."
As has become customary in Canada, the announcement was tempered with talk of bad luck associated with carrying the flag.
"We knew that question was coming," she laughed, aware of the problems encountered by past flag bearers such as Ken Read, Jean-Luc Brassard, Kurt Browning and Michael Smith.
"I don't think it's going to affect me psychologically. It's a big honour. It's going to boost myself, our team and the whole experience. It's going to bring me more excitement, more pride and more passion for racing my best in Salt Lake City.
"The opening ceremonies open two weeks of wonderful events and wonderful results that Canada is going to have and all the medals that we are going to bring home to our country."
And there's no one better to lead the way.
2002 Games Long Track Speed Skating Coverage
