Rio 2016 It’s a Wrap!

I’m experiencing some Olympic withdrawal symptoms. There is no rowing or kayaking or canoeing to watch at breakfast and no swimming, athletics, or triathlon to watch at other intervals during the day. No laptop with live streaming of the dressage at the barn. No evening replays of the days events.  Well , it was great while it lasted!

Here are some of my favourites.

New Stars! New Sports!

Canada’s Andre De Grasse races in his 200m heat at the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday August 16, 2016. COC Photo/Mark Blinch

Women’s rubgy sevens

Canada’s Tory Nyhaug competes in the BMX seeding at the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday August 17, 2016. COC Photo/Mark Blinch

Andre de Grasse! Women’s Rugby Sevens! BMX!   All amazing!

Most Honorable Mention!

Alan Dunfee, race walker in the gruelling 50 k race walk. He finished 4th but then the Japanese race walker who came 3rd was eliminated as he had bumped Dunfee. Dunfee had the Bronze. Then the Japanese filed a complaint and the Japanese race walker was reinstated. Dunfee did not have the Bronze. He was asked if he wanted to file a complaint with the CAS.Dunfee said no, he did not. That was not the way he wanted to win a medal.  He is a sportsman of honor!

A BIG Shout Out to our Canadian Equestrians: the Eventing Team, Jumping Team ( Bravo to Bronze  Medallist Eric Lamaze!) and our two individual Dressage riders Megan Lane and Belinda Trussell.

Canada’s Eric Lamaze aboard his horse Fine Lady 5 competes during Equestrian Individual Jumping Final Round A at the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday August 19, 2016. COC Photo/Mark Blinch

And….the Greats we may not see at the Olympics again .

Michael Phelps. Usain, the lightening, Bolt and Charlotte and Valegro.   When Charlotte and Valegro are in the competition ring they are one entity. Charlegro.  There are teams and partnerships in human sport but nothing, absolutely nothing can touch the team that consists of a human and a member of another species. This is unique on our planet. This is Equestrian sport. And the pinnacle of this team partnership comes with a human and a horse like Charlotte and Valegro. They are indeed one entity. Hence….Charlegro.  

Photo credit: Jaime Porter photos.