To the editor,
I love all Olympic games. Eleven years ago B.C. hosted the Winter Games during the last two weeks of February.
I was on the Team Nanaimo 2010 committee which was a fantastic group of people from the City of Nanaimo, local community groups as well as many other community members. This committee joined together to promote community spirit as well as promoting Nanaimo to visitors who might want to explore while attending the Games. A huge-screen TV went up in Diana Krall Plaza and sporting events were televised every day. Team Nanaimo held Games-related events and provided hot chocolate and snacks. It was an amazing experience.
For the gold medal men’s hockey game on the last day of the Games, the plaza was completely packed with people decked out Canadian jerseys, hats, mittens and flags and it was amazing to be a part of it. There was utter deflation of the whole crowd for about 25 seconds after the U.S. tied the game, then someone started singing O Canada and everyone joined in. All this led to the highlight and my most memorable moment of the whole Games when Sidney Crosby scored in overtime. The crowd went nuts, everyone was hugging and I mean everyone, people were crying with joy, and it was wild.
I was with the other team members shortly after and it was pretty emotional as we had spent more than two years working together and all of a sudden it was over. During this time Nanaimo received many legacies that are still around today. The Team Nanaimo experience with all the special people who put in so much of their time is one of the best memories of my life.
So, if there is ever another chance to host the Olympics in B.C. again, I say hell yeah!
Bert Abbott, Nanaimo
READ ALSO: Commonwealth, Invictus Games good for B.C. recovery, Horgan says
<hr width=”75%”>
The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the writer and do not reflect the views of Black Press or the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
Letters policy: Letters should be no longer than 250 words and will be edited. Preference is given to letters expressing an opinion on issues of local relevance or responding to items published in the News Bulletin. Include your address (it won’t be published) and a first name or two initials, and a surname. Unsigned letters or letters specifically addressing someone else will not be published.
Mail: Letters, Nanaimo News Bulletin, 777 Poplar St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 2H7
Fax: 250-753-0788
E-mail: editor@nanaimobulletin.com
