2010 Olympic Fun and Games Blog

WOW! It’s just ONE day before the opening of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games. We welcome the athletes from the 83 nations participating, visitors from around the globe, and a television audience in the billions!

That’s a lot of pressure (and excitement), so we thought we’d lighten things up and take the time and to introduce you to the official mascots. Here they are:

Miga

Miga is a sea bear who loves adventure. She is inspired by the legends of the Pacific Northwest First Nations, and a belief that orca whales transform into bears when they arrive on land. She lives in the ocean near Tofino, on Vancouver Island, and that’s a good thing because Miga surfs all summer long, then hits the slopes in the winter with her board. Her favourite food is salmon jerky, and her dream is to land a corked 720 in the half-pipe. Go Miga!

Sumi

Sumi is an animal spirit, whose name comes from the Salish word “Sumesh”, which means “guardian spirit”. He is from Whistler, and works hard to protect the land, water and creatures of his homeland. Sumi loves hot cocoa, alpine skiing, and is excited to share his forest and mountain home with the world!

Quatchi

Quatchi is a sasquatch and comes from the mysterious forests of Canada. He is young, shy, and a popular legend of the people of the Coastal First Nations. His dream is to become a world-famous goalie (like Martin Brodeur), and knows if he works hard and does his best anything is possible. Quatchi reminds us about the possibility of undiscovered creatures in Canada’s wilderness. And, he doesn’t have a favourite food, he loves everything!

Mukmuk

Let’s not forget Mukmuk. He’s like the first official mascot “sidekick”. He’s a marmot from Vancouver Island who is small and friendly. He gets his name from the word “muckamuck”, Chinook for “food”, and he loves to eat. He loves to sunbathe on rocks, eat berries and make friends. Who doesn’t love Mukmuk!

Which mascot are you like? Take the quiz and find out!
Can you score on Quatchi? Click here to find out!

And for your viewing pleasure, we’ve added this video short.

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Inukshuk overlooking English Bay

The Inukshuk (pronounced In-OOK-Shook) plays an important role as the emblem of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. It comes from an Inuit word meaning “in the likeness of a human” or “stone man that points the way”. Often used as a beacon, they would provide direction for those seeking safe passage. They also served to mark good fishing sites, provide shelter or a place for hunters to ambush caribou.

Olympic Heights School

The official emblem was designed by Elena Rivera MacGregor and Gonzalo Alatorre, and was chosen from over 1,600 entries. The colours of the Inukshuk represent different parts of the country: green and blue’s for forests and mountains, red for Canada’s Maple Leaf, and yellow for brilliant sunrises.

An Inukshuk can be any size, usually made from several rocks balanced on eachother. These students from Calgary built their own Inukshuk, and used the opportunity to learn more about the Arctic, and you should too!

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Here’s something to get you started. The flag shown here is from which province or territory?

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(with excerpts from Reader’s Digest/Feb 2010, by Stuart Foxman)

No matter what you are approaching in life, you can still put in a “gold-medal” performance in any arena of your life. Psychology coach Peter Jensen has worked with Canadian athletes at every Olympics since 1984, and he believes what sets elite competitors apart- and what anyone can emulate- is their approach.

Here are the 5 Best Ways to Achieve Your Potential:

1. UNDERSTAND PRESSURE

Athletes excel under pressure because they are ready, not because they excel under pressure. “Most pressure comes from being unprepared”, says Canadian Olympic women’s hockey team member Cherie Piper. Piper is calm before a big game, and why should she feel pressure, she has trained for just that occassion.

Wheteher playing sports or writing a test, being ready breeds confidence.

2. Focus on the Now

“We are taking it one game, inning, quarter at a time”. Athletes focus on the task at hand, as expectations can be overwhelming. Thinking of the future isn’t beneficial, you need to narrow your focus to: “What do I need to do right now?”

3. Be Self Aware

Olympian Jennifer Botterill says she remains mindful of the fundamental tasks while playing (ice-hockey), like staying low in her stride or being vocal. Remain focused and in control of your emotions: “If your screaming on the bench, you’re not getting reflection time.”

“Whether you’re in a game or discussion with a friend/parent, notice what you’re thinking or saying and decide if it’s helpful.” We need to step back, observe ourselves and ask what’s required in any situation.

4. Banish the Negative

Seven-time Canadian ice-dancing champion Tracy Wilson says: “There is always more than one way to look at a situation.” Thinking negative won’t help you excel, and that often your feelings move in line with your thoughts. “Don’t do this and don’t do that” can be substituted with “What do you want to do?”

5. Visualize to Win

Cherie Piper says dreaming of winning Olympic gold is too much “hope” and not enough “preparation”. She envisions specific circumstances, like what she would do in a two-on-one break. Our bodies react to images, and putting a clear picture of what you want is important!

The goal isn’t always to win gold. Famous basketball coach John Wooden never spoke about “winning”, he rather had his players strive each day to do better. That is something we all can do. Being the best is not always possible, but being better always is.

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Thank you for visiting the 2010 Olympic Fun and Games blog. It’s February, and after a long wait, the Winter Olympics in Vancouver are just days away!

We will be attending the games, and are looking forward to providing our fellow students, teachers, parents, and anyone who wants to drop-in with regular updates. From a daily wrap-up of the days activities, to instant mobile updates (as it happens), and even a chance to interact with us live from the games, you will have plenty of reasons to come back. That’s not to mention the Teacher’s Lounge, a place to interact on everything from what’s happening at the games to what’s happening in your classroom (coffee not included).

Take a look around, and remember that we will be adding stories, pics, video’s and more each day leading up to the games. Go Canada Go!

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