What a difference a week makes.
If you had asked people what they will remember best from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, many would have pointed to the unseasonal weather, the death of an athlete on the luge track or the malfunction of the Games cauldron during the opening ceremonies.
But now, with more than a week of events under our belts, we are recalling gold medal performances, athletes with personality plus, thousands upon thousands of fans at events and a large portion of them partying in the streets in the evenings.
And now we have another memory to add to the collection. A very poignant one of a young Canadian figure skater who reduced the crowd to tears by simply performing flawlessly in her first test at the Games — just two days after her mother died unexpectedly at the Games.
Joannie Rochette probably won’t win gold or silver — maybe bronze — but we will remember her for her grace under unfathomable conditions and her commitment to the sport, her team and her country in turning in a strong performance while going through one of the lowest points in her young life.
There are other memories not so admirable — the Dutch speedskater who angrily tossed his sunglasses after learning his coach had steered him wrong and cost him a gold medal, or the coach of the Chinese women’s curling team who ranted at his charges.
The Canadian team leaves us with inspirational memories.
