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NEWS:
On February 6 bad weather rolled in and we got a taste of Japanese snow. After riding all day we headed into Nagano and stayed in the Olympic Village. Security is tight and the Canadian area is plastered with Canadian flags. The next day is opening ceremonies.
The opening was crazy. We walked into a stadium with thousands of screaming fans. Once it was done we got out of our cheezy uniforms and headed to Nike for a press conference and to make use of the Nike facilities. Nike set up houses or spas for the Canadian snowboard team and for all the Olympic hockey teams. Since we were the only ones who got bought by Nike for the Olympics. Not bad, eh?
After we hung out in the facilities for a bit the Nike represenatives drove us back to the resort in their Hummer. I don't know how they drove the narrow roads in that wide car, but we made it eventually. The following day after opening ceremonies we got a taste of just how our sport was slowly being affected by the Olympics. Our own Ross Rebagliati won the race and got the gold. We didn't get to see him for two days straight after that because of all of the press conferences and media and this and that. He just wanted to relish in his winnings but had to deal with the press first.
In between all of that we started to see more runs come together in the halfpipe. Everyone seemed reluctant at first, but once they got use to the pitch, it was just like any other pipe. In the days leading up to now we have seen endless interviews. We've also seen Trevor Andrews with orange, spiked hair and Daniel Franck with leopard skin died hair.
It's been an interesting week for all. Mark Fawcett broke his board on the way to winning the race. It was after the Fawcett thing that I started to realize just what the Olypmics are about. Everyone on the Canadian team felt so bad for him because he couldn't show the world he was the best, which he is! But that is what happens in contests sometimes.
So then today after our last day of training I get to the bottom of the halfpipe and get swarmed by the media. They aren't really curious about me though, it's about Ross losing his gold medal. They want to know what I think. "What?" I said, wondering what they are talking about and why they would ask me that. Well didn't you hear, they say to me. "Hear what?" I ask preplexed by it all. Ross tested positive for marijuana, they tell me.
I stood there dumbfounded. After that the rest of the day was just about staying low profile. The media was all over us in our hotel. We as a team (team Canada) held a few meetings to get a grasp of what was happening. There was talk about people not wanting to do the halfpipe anymore. To boycott it as a country because of the outcome of Ross' situation.
Basically what happened is this, Ross tested positive for pot. Pot is not a banned substance like steroids or speed, however, there is a clause stating that the IOC or COA or FIS may, that is MAY, take action if there is any found in your system. It was also stated that they have almost never taken action. They just give the person a slap on the wrist, at least this is what has happened with the other sports up until now.
The IOC asked for snowboarding in the Olympics and well, they got it. And what for? So they could pull a fast one on us and make snowboarding look bad? I witnessed a man win a gold medal. His happiness from that moment in his life is more than I can ever explain and then to be cut down, to be ridiculed like this to the world.
Pot is not an enhancing substance! I have heard of a couple of things that may go on at the contest--all positive. But the final decision will be tomorrow morning when they reanalyze the situation and decide if they will give him his medal back. The damage however is done and now he will look bad and the sport may get shunned. Now I realize the ramifications of the Olympics. It gives our sport a lot of exposure, and sometimes that's too much! I finish writing while looking outside our hotel, watching the media from around the world filming the window of Ross's room when he isn't even staying here anymore. The paparazzi has entered our sport and isn't about to leave us alone.
OTHER NEWS The Last Hemptation of Ross Wed. (Feb. 11 @ 5:58:AM est) Up In Smoke: IOC Burns Snowboarding Wed. (Feb. 11 @ 2:50:AM est) Snowboarding's Tokin' Gold: IOC Wants Rebagliati's Medal Back Wed. (Feb. 11 @ 1:47:AM est) Karine Ruby Captures GS Gold For France Tue. (Feb. 10 @ 7:51:PM est) A Coach's Diary: Welcome to My Nightmare Tue. (Feb. 10 @ 1:06:PM est) A Coaches Diary: Notes From The Edge Tue. (Feb. 10 @ 12:52:PM est) Women's GS Postponed Due to Weather Mon. (Feb. 09 @ 1:28:PM est) Wrong Side of the Fence: The Olympic Men's GS Sun. (Feb. 08 @ 1:09:PM est) Racing Rules Sun. (Feb. 08 @ 1:09:PM est) Games On: The Opening Ceremony Sat. (Feb. 07 @ 12:29:PM est)
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