(Vancouver) Gina Kingsbury plays defence for the Canadian women's gold medal team. Her Gold medal is truly Canadian's gold medal. I know because she handed it to me last night on a watertaxi.
Gold in a backpack on a Watertaxi and a young Olympian so very modest and incredibly sharing equals the Olympic experience of a life time for fellow passengers. Gina Kingsbury, team Canada defence, was touring the city with her Gold medal.
Olympic tourists, on our way to short track speed skating, my wife Lynn and I started to chat with the three young women on the taxi. We had all boarded the watertaxi outside Atlantic House on Grandville Island. We asked the young women if they were in Alantic house. They replied "no we waited in line outside but did not get in. We're going downtown to watch the men's hockey game".
Then Lynn and struck gold by asking them "have you guys been to any events?""Hockey" replied Kingsbury. "Wow wasn't that great the women's hockey team put Canada over the top with our eight gold medal that's a record" I commented. "My friend plays for the National team" offered her buddy.
Lynn and I were astonished that we had been visiting with a member of Canada's Olympic women's hockey team but did not know her. "Want to see the Gold medal?" a smiling Kingsbury asked us. She reached into her back pack and pulled out a cloth pouch taking the huge beautiful medal and handed it to me.
I was in shock but managed to blurt out "can we get a picture with you?" "Sure" she smiled and sat down beside me. I realized I was holding her medal in a picture for me. "Here this is your medal you hold it" I said. "It's okay I get to hold it all the time" was her reply. My wife Lynn took her turn and we shot a dozen digital pictures.
As we putted across false creek the chat continued and we learned that Gina and her friend were both Calgary Oval extreme athletes. The Oval is home to Canada's long track speed skaters and our son skates on the National Development team. We had often seen the women practicing at the Oval. Still we did not know them or recognize them individually. Gina looks different without her helmet on.
Lynn and I were amazed that Gina and friends stood in line at the Atlantic pavilion without getting in. We told Gina that the medal was he key to the City of Vancouver and she should open a few doors with it if she wanted. We assured her that Canadians would welcome her with open arms. "You earned the privilege of touring the City as Olympic champion enjoy it" was our advice. Gina grinned a shy grin.
Her friend had told us Gina's name on the boat but we had not heard it over the groan of the little diesel motor. We were emabarrassed that we did not know her and in our swoon did not ask her name. We did grab the camera and shoot a video for Youtube and as evidence that we actually had the historic 8th Gold medal. Gina co-operated with a low key smile.
We strolled up the street chatting and Gina and her friends set course for Canada Place to join her teammates. She strolled through a crowd of thousands carrying her medal in her backpack. But if anyone recognised her or the team Canada Olympic coat you can bet Gina pulled out the Gold and handed it to them.
When we got home last night after seeing the incredible short track finals; Charles Hamelin's 500 gold, Tremblay's Bronze and the relay team's Gold I sat down and googled the Women's hockey team roster.
I found Gina Kingsbury with google. To my astonishment I found she had been born in my home province of Saskatchewan. We proudly claim you Gina even though you moved away long ago. We don't claim you because you won gold. We want you because you are the epitomy of the Olympic athlete. Proud modest and full of joy. No braggadocio here.
Gina you can be a roll model for my five year old granddaughter any time anywhere. Thank you for a magic moment and I hope you have fun in Vancouver this weekend. See you at the Oval later this year for a proper introduction.
Go Canada! Own the Podium? You bet! Thanks Gina for the reminder that Canada can own the podium and still have class and humility!
