I just finished my Olympic adventure, and what an adventure it was – wow! Really, I only have great things to say about it. I had the chance to experience the Olympic Games from a totally different perspective.

The Vancouver Olympic Games were memorable for Canadians athletes. We witnessed historic and spectacular moments. Through their talent, speed and finesse, our athletes represented us proudly. Canada has also achieved a feat unique among nations: 14 gold medals for the host country of the Games.

Events for the speed skating athletes began during the second week. Charles Hamelin won two gold medals, the first for the 500 m race and the second with his relay team. Denny Morrison also won a gold medal with the help of his teammates. On the ladies’ side, the Women’s short track relay team won the silver medal.

The achievements continued for the bobsleigh teams. Canada scored twice winning first and second places in the women’s bobsleigh. Helen Upperton, one of the McDonald’s Hopefuls athletes, was among of women who received the first medal in Olympic women's bobsleigh – another first!

And what can we say to our ice hockey teams other than that they are truly golden? In the finals, both the women’s and men’s teams fought their long-standing rivals, the Americans, for the gold, and both Canadian teams were victorious. The crowed was frenzied at the amazing show our players put on. The game was so captivating that I was on the edge of my seat until the very last minute of the game.

Throughout the Games, they were tears of joy but also tears of sadness. The mother of Joannie Rochette died suddenly in Vancouver. Joannie redefined the meaning of the word “courage” by going on to win a bronze medal in figure skating. The Olympic Committee highlighted her bravery by honouring her with the Terry Fox prize; the Canadian Committee also honoured her by asking her to be the flag bearer at the closing ceremony. It was a very nice gesture, and it concluded her adventure on a high note as we could all see the smile on her face.

The closing ceremony was a big party for everyone including the athletes. The stress had passed and everyone enjoyed the ceremony. They gathered and congratulated each other on their accomplishments.

Congratulations to Vancouver for the amazing organisation: everything was top notch.

Congratulations to the Canadian delegation for their good work.

Thanks to all the supporters who cheered the Canadian athletes.

For more information and complete coverage of the Olympics please visit the CTV website.

Alex

I already lived the Olympic experience from an athlete point of view, but the exercise as a reporter is completely different. I throw myself into something unknown, and up to now, I love it. I live a dream and this dream is even more fantastic due to the excellence of our Canadian athletes. Canada is now in fourth place with seventeen medals, just behind Norway which has nineteen. What is crazier is that we have the same number of gold medals of two of the strongest Winter Olympic Games countries, USA and Germany. I think we can look as a positive start for the future.

Yesterday night, the Women Ice Hockey team won the gold. They let no chance to their opponents, the Americans. Also, in bobsleigh, we were well represented. We have collected three medals of which two are gold and one is silver.

To add to this amazing results’ list, Alexandre Bilodeau, Maelle Ricker, Terra Virtue and Scott Moir, to name only a few, have broken Canadians records! And we cannot ignore Joannie Rochette’s determination. Despite the bad news she received earlier this week, she fought with the determination of a warrior; she was able to climb the third step of the podium. This medal is a personal victory for Joannie and is the most wonderful gift that she could have made to her mother. From my point of view, this medal is a platinum medal.

Congrats to all 2010 McDonald’s Hopefuls but it’s not over yet, keep working hard!

Alex

The Olympic adventure is already well underway and so far we have lived some memorable moments, and yesterday was no exception. First, I wanted to note Joannie Rochette’s incredible performance. The crowd gave her a very warm welcome. People stood up and applauded her for several minutes before and after her performance to show their support. She really skated with passion.

Monday, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir wowed us during their figure skating performance. They have added another gold medal to our tally. They did exceptional work and became the first Canadians in the history to win gold in couple’s ice dancing. Another broken record!

Women and Men Canadians Curling teams are just incredible! It’s one win after the other, nothing can stop them. I wish them nothing less than the gold medal. It’s an unknown sport, and I invite everyone to learn more about it.

The men’s hockey team was in action yesterday at the UBC Thunderbird Arena. It was an important game for our Canadians. The guys played with heart and it had paid off. They won the game with a score of 8 to 2. Canadian fans were going crazy!

Also, we cannot forget to talk about Ashleigh McIvor’s amazing performance. Ladies’ ski cross has just been added, for the first time, to the Olympic Games’ program. The final was scheduled Tuesday afternoon. Ashleigh hlods the World Champion title and she fought for her Olympic title with in her own country. She was leading the final from beginning to end and therefore won the first Canadian gold medal in ladies’ ski cross.

The last competitions certainly reserve us some nice surprises! GO Canada GO! It really is amazing to have the chance to experience this from up close. The atmosphere in Vancouver is incredible!

Alex

As you may already know, figure skater Joannie Rochette got sad news yesterday, the death of her mother Thérèse Rochette.  The whole sports community is behind her, and so are Canadians. Joannie is perseverant.  She plans on competing despite this difficult situation.

At the press conference yesterday morning, the Mission’s Chief Nathalie Lambert said that she was planning to meet with Joannie Rochette and support her decision. Nathalie wanted to let her know that the Federation is behind her and that she can always change her mind.

Joannie is well surrounded by her friends, family and her long time trainer, who is also one of her best friends.

Joannie is an extraordinary woman and I’m offering her my sympathy. I think that the best thing we can do for her is to respect her decision and support her.

Alex

Today is all about good news! Our female Canadian athletes gave us a lot to cheer about in the last few days. The Ontarian long track speed skater Christine Nesbitt blew us away one more time! Incredible but she has not lost one 1,000 meter race this season and wasn’t about to let it start at the Olympic Games that. She won the gold medal. This gold medal is added to Alexandre Bilodeau’s and Maelle Ricker’s. Another medal has been added to the board in short track speed skating. Marianne St-Gelais won the silver medal at the 500 meters. We could see the joy and the pride on her face.

Yesterday, we had an amazing show from the men’s Ice Hockey team. It was an incredible game. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. In order to decide the winner, they had to go in shootout and the winning goal was scored by Sidney Crosby. The next game is against the US; it promises to be just as exciting!

I’m heading toward Whistler now where ski jumping, cross-country skiing, skeleton and one of my favourite, Men’s Super G Alpine Skiing with Érik Guay, will be taking place. He is in good shape to win a medal. I wish him a lot of success.

GO Canada GO – 4^th place on the medal board, amazing!

Alex

Yesterday afternoon, the men’s ice hockey team was in action for the first time. The head coach decided to go with Roberto Luongo as the starting goalie for the opening game of the tournament. It surprised a lot of people! Roberto Luongo had the chance to play in front of his Canucks’ fans. The Canadian team won the match 8 to nothing against Norway.

The women’s hockey team will be back in action today against Sweden. They have won all their games so far!

Another one of our 2010 Hopefuls, François Boivin, qualified for the quarter finals yesterday afternoon in snowboard cross. He finished 12^th. He was disappointed with his performance, but as he noticed the massive crowd at the bottom of the course and by their shouts of encouragement, we are very proud of him.

Charles Hamelin did not qualify for the 1,500m finals on Saturday, but that won’t stop him. Charles is a winner and is already focusing on his next races. He still has two more individual races and the relay to do. He has the attitude of a champion!

For all the details, visit www.ctvolympics.ca.

Alex

Our first gold medal! Congrats to our McDonald’s 2010 Hopefuls, Alexandre Bilodeau. He won the first Canadian gold medal at the Vancouver Olympic Games in moguls freestyle skiing. This medal is special since it’s the first Canadian gold medal to be won on Canadian soil. What a historic moment!

During his interview, Alexandre was really happy and emotional. He said that he won this medalwith the help of his family, his trainers, his friends. Without them, their support and comprehension, he would have not succeeded. He then added that this medal is only the first one of many for Canadians athletes. Alexandre is very positive and thinks that our athletes will perform extremely well. To see Alexandre’s reaction, visit the CTV website.

There is also another McDonald’s 2010 Hopeful, biathlete Jean-Philippe Le Guellec, who performed extremely well at the 10km sprint race at the Whisler Olympic Park. Jean-Philippe, 61^st at the same event in Torino four years ago, finished 6^th overall. It’s the best result obtained by a Canadian biathlete at this event. His objective was to be in the top 10 among the 88 athletes who were participating. The whole article about Jean-Philippe is posted on CTV website.

Alex 

Wow, what a show! I had chills during the whole thing. I think it is really cool that I had the chance to give my comments, from an athlete’s point of view, on what was happening at the opening ceremonies. With the whole team, we worked really hard the entire week to be ready for the the show. My teammates gave me good advice and I am really lucky to have had the chance to work side by side with two big names, Pierre Houde et Richard Garneau.

I think my favourite moment was when the athletes entered in the stadium. For an athlete, it’s something really incredible to live that moment... It was even stronger for our athletes because they must have felt the support from the crowd. Really amazing to live this moment in your own country. It was also really cool because the athletes got to see most of the show.

I also loved when they showed the most glorious moments of our Canadians. Recalling past successes is so interesting and motivating for athletes. There was no better time than the Opening Ceremony to do it.

Let the Games begin!

Alex

I’m inviting you to come see the live performances of our Quebec athletes from the McDonald’s 2010 Hopefuls program. The calendar of all the events, taking place across Quebec throughout the Games, is posted on the Hopefuls 2010 website.

The whole community in each athlete’s hometown is invited to come cheer them on. Even if a few of our Hopefuls are not going to be competing in Vancouver, you are invited to come cheer them on as well.

Fun activities for all await you.

I’ll give you some news after the opening ceremonies!

Alex

I just got to Vancouver and I can already feel the all the excitement in the air. I can assure you that the city is ready to welcome people from all over the globe to celebrate the arrival of the best athletes in the world.

I am so happy and honoured to be here; it is really something to live the Games in Canada. As an athlete, it’s a real dream to compete in the Olympic Games in your own country. In 2005, I had the chance to compete in the World Championships in Montreal and it is one of the best experiences of my career. It is hard to describe but I can assure you that your cheering does all the difference. The Canadian athletes in Vancouver will certainly say the same thing. They will represent us with great success, I am sure.

Follow the performances of our Canadians on CTV Olympics.

Last sprint before the official start of the Games; are you ready? I am!

Alex