Tag Archives: olympics

Paralympics: smaller, calmer, friendlier

Posted on 09/03/2010 by Michael Coyle

The Paralympics are coming! And everyone is distinctly less stressed out. I did not say less excited, or less enthusiastic. And definitely not less important. However the Olympics get all the attention, and the attention makes everyone here in Vancouver self conscious and nobody navel-gazes better … Continue reading →

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Podium Ownage: Early results

Posted on 01/03/2010 by Michael Coyle

With all of the hand wringing about the Own the Podium program, and was the money worth it I thought I might apply some basic statistics to the problem. Testing weather or not a technique works is one of the … Continue reading →

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On Olympic Aspirations

Posted on 12/02/2010 by Michael Coyle

I understand the hopes and dreams of Olympic athletes is a slightly more visceral way today through the potential of one of them ending their career in a crash. US downhill skier Stacey Cook crashed near the tunnel section on the women’s course. She missed … Continue reading →

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The Olympic Imperative

Posted on 08/02/2010 by Michael Coyle

Two days of training at the men’s and women’s downhill skiing course, and one day to go before racers start practising. First, some terms of reference: there are just about 2400 blue-clad volunteers for the men’s and women’s downhill, and … Continue reading →

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What I am not allowed to do

Posted on 04/02/2010 by Michael Coyle

I have been given a list of do’s and don’ts about being a volunteer at the Olympics: do not ask for athlete/VIP autographs or pictures while on duty or in uniform do not bring family members to work do not … Continue reading →

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My Olympic Sport (Part 2)

Posted on 03/02/2010 by Michael Coyle

(continued from Part 1) So, through hook or by crook, I’ve been trained to dangle from a helicopter as a rescue technique. How, may you ask, did that get me to the Olympics? A few years ago, Vancouver won the … Continue reading →

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My Olympic Sport (Part 1)

Posted on 27/11/2009 by Michael Coyle

I first volunteered for Search and Rescue in 1999. A friend of mine in university suggested it to me. It came up after a discussion about a high school friend of mine who had died on a mountain near Hope; … Continue reading →

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