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Tuesday, February 27, 2018

I wish Mom could see this






I'm sure I'm not the only blogger writing about this month's Olympic Games, but I really must say I'm very proud of Canada's place in the Games, and proud of all the Canadian athletes, some of whom I have watched over the years, as they started and then excelled in their chosen sports.


I'm also sure all of my fellow bloggers are feeling the same pride in their home countries after the success of Olympic games in Pyeong Chang.


Plus, I'm sure all of my fellow Canadians are thrilled that Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir returned to the Games for their farewell skate...

Virtue and Moir — the pride of Canada for a long time!

Two amazing Jamaican athletes — breakthrough Bobsledders.

Nigerian Women's Bobsled Team
I know my mother would have loved the Nigerian Women's Bobsled Team, as well as the Brazilian Men'sBrazil’s underdog men's bobsled team, the Frozen Bananas,  because she loved the movie Cool Runnings which "and The Frozen Bananas were just like a Brazilian version of the 1993 movie" ‘Cool Runnings’ about Jamaican bobsledders in the 1988 Olympics.


After the Jamaican Men's Bobsled Team raced in chilly, snowy Calgary in 1988, Mom was smitten with the sport. 

Nigeria women's bobsleigh team make breakthrough for Africa on iceIn the 1990s, my parents travelled throughout our home province of British Columbia gathering photos for Dad's two Living Rivers of British Columbia books.**

In the 1990s, my parents usually arranged their travels to include a visit with me after health problems sent me from 'The Wet Coast' up to Ashcroft, BC.
Every time my parents showed up at my door, Mom would say, "Let's go rent that movie!" And, every time, the movie she meant was Cool Runnings, about the Jamaican bobsled team's troubles in western Canada. It had become her all-time favourite.

Cool Runnings

The movie starred the late Canadian actor John Candy — As the coach of a motley crew of Jamaicans, Candy was determined to enter the Olympic Games, but there was one problem: Jamaica had no snow!  

I believe Mom loved Cool Runnings even more than the movies from the 1940s when she and Dad were high school sweethearts, then engaged, then separated by WWII and, finally, married after Dad got home to British Columbia after WWII.

I also know Mom would have loved to see the participation of African nations in the Olympics this year. She always loved cheering for the underdog, whatever the occasion, whatever the sport. I know she would have loved the Nigerian women's bobsled team this year for sure, along with her other favourites.

Linking with Fiona's wonderful meme

Our World Tuesday

7 comments:

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
I own the movie!!! It is just amazing to see nations of the tropics getting into the winter sports - I especially loved watching the Korean ladies curling team - no tiddlers, they played brilliantly! It was a wonderful games... YAM xx

Jenn Jilks said...

This is fun! We were addicted! Especially the curling. SOmetines someone had to watch curling by himself in the bsement beside the fire... :-)

Powell River Books said...

I knew of Cool Runnings and the feat of the Jamaican bobsled team, but never saw the movie. I see it is on Netflix. Unfortunately we can't download it to watch at the cabin. Maybe it will work out that we have an evening in town when we can do it (or at the end of our monthly Xplornet satellite Internet allotment up the lake if we have enough MB left). - Margy

Su-sieee! Mac said...

The young athletes were so amazing! This Olympics was the best, I thought.

Kay said...

We were absolutely awed by Virtue and Moir. They are truly in a class of their own. Canada was truly amazing in this year's Olympics. And yes, we were really enjoying it.

Lady Fi said...

Oh, I love Cool Runnings! And did you see the Norwegian men's curling team's trousers... they were so awesome!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I loved that movie! Thank you for the reminder of the fun.