Sponsored Athlete: Jenny Casson

Hi Burnbrae!

Before I begin to talk about my personal experience at the Olympics, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you. If you are Canadian, or support Canadian athletics in any way, it is your support that has led to the continued success of Canadian athletes in Tokyo. A record-breaking medal count for team Canada at Tokyo 2020! Can you believe it? Although I was unable to have the performance I was deeply excited to showcase, there are so many other incredible athletes who have!

At the end of the day, we are all team Canada! The success of Canadian athletes is directly related to the support given by Canadians. Clearly, you have all been doing a tremendous job! Keep up the good work, Canada!

Now, the Olympics;

Let us begin with de-bunking all the negative hoopla we have all been reading. First and foremost, believe it or not, the Olympics did actually happen. Despite all the negative attention it was generating, the wretched covid situation at the Olympic and in the Olympic Village was handled with the utmost of care. Local Japanese volunteers (some of the best people I have ever encountered, might I add) and organizers worked tirelessly to keep us safe and monitor our health. While the majority of athletes were simply happy to have the games any which way it would be possible, the Japanese went above and beyond to create an experience that would give the athletes somewhere to come home to and be calm and ready to focus for their event.

I am a very emotional person with a limited vocabulary, so it is hard for me to express the feeling that accompanied me during these games. Results aside, the Olympic Games were more than what you could imagine. Walking around the village itself was like walking through a human zoo. Picture the top athletes from every country in the best shape of their lives, wandering around an enclosed space wearing their team gear. Being shuttled to and from competition and training venues. Want to take a seat by the fountain simply to enjoy the view? Hope you are okay with watching gold medalist marathon runners from Kenyan train while Tennis star Novak Djokovic tries to run behind them for fun.

The show really was the show and that’s all there is too it. If you have children who are wondering what it is like to be an Olympian or what the Olympics are like, let their imagination run free. The fairy tale like setting we recreate in out elementary classrooms and make-believe dream journals are more spot on than one would think. I can guarantee, the atmosphere of the games will surpass their greatest expectations. All I wish for is as many Canadian children to have watched the games, inspired and looking forward to watch or be a part of the next summer and winter Olympic Games. We all started from our backyards, basements, or lakes. If they want to be the best, they can be the best, and there are numerous Canadian medalists to prove that.

These games brought together countries whose politicians do not speak. They brought together a world divided by varying cultures, irreconcilable differences, and economic chaos. At the end of the day, people are people. Being surrounded by people who have the same goal, no matter where they come from, now that is special. Everyone was there to honour their country and show what there ‘countries finest’ have to offer at these games. Some fell short of their goals and some accomplished things they never thought they could, but no matter what, they showed up, they gave it their all, and they were proud of who they were and where they came from! And that is the magic of the games!

As a completely unrelated note but, purely because I am writing this on Burnbrae’s page and therefore would like to draw attention to the number of eggs that were consumed in the athlete cafeteria. Never have I ever seen so many scrambled, fried, hard boiled, salad, hash (and any other egg ensemble one can think of) in my life. At one point, there was an omelette wrapped rice roll tied with seaweed that seem to be the Japanese go-to. Who would have ever guessed!? Looks like eggs really do fuel not only Canadian athletes, but athletes all over the world! That cracked me up!

Keep eating your morning eggs Canada, it’s the best way to fuel your dreams, both big and small! :)