August 11, 2004

Raising Maple Leaf brings shivers for athletes

By JIM MORRIS


ATHENS (CP) - Some two-thirds of the 266-member team representing Canada at the Olympic Games turned out Tuesday night to watch the Maple Leaf being raised.

There was plenty of laughing and joking but a hush fell when the flag was hoisted into place beside those from other countries. Strains of O Canada drifted over the village as the flag hung limp on a muggy night without a breath of wind.

Afterwards the gymnasts headed off to a knoll to get their picture taken while the swimmers surrounded the flag pole and shouted a rousing cheer.

Nicolas Gill, the judoka who will carry the flag during Friday night's opening ceremonies, said in his mind the Games have officially began.

"It's the first occasion for a team to get together," said the Montreal native. "It's really the opening of the Games for the Canadian team. You get more excited. Slowly the stress and excitement builds up. Today it took another step towards that."

Still Canadian officials were making sure there wasn't too much spirit on the team.

Included in the gift bag given all athletes at the Games is a small bottle of ouzo, a Greek drink that tastes like licorice but has a kick like a mule. Officials reminded athletes no alcohol is allowed at the village and many members of the team can't drink because they are underage.

Kate Richardson, a gymnast from Coquitlam, B.C., said the flag-raising further heightens the excitement of being an Olympian.

"It's exciting that it's all actually starting," said Richardson, who will compete in her second Olympics."We're all here, come a long way and worked really hard. Now this is the beginning of the Games, the beginning of training and all the excitement is about to begin."

Seeing the flag and hearing O'Canada stoked the patriotic fires in swimmer Brittany Reimer of Surrey, B.C.

"It's sort of an indescribable feeling," said Reimer."You feel really patriotic. When you hear the national anthem you get really emotional."

"You get some goose-bumps," added Nathaniel O'Brien, who will swim both the backstroke and butterfly.

"It's pretty exciting knowing that's the country you're representing and when you go up there to compete you've got your whole team behind you."

O'Brien was born in Seattle but his Canadian mother, Lisa Geary, swam for Canada at the 1976 Games in Montreal.

O'Brien attended the University of Texas and trained with American 200-metre backstroker Aaron Peirsol. He now trains in Victoria.

The swimmer said he's enjoyed the cultural mix of the athletes village. He has yet to meet any of the big-name athletes, but a female pole vaulter did leave an impression.

"Wow," he said. "She might not be famous but she caught my eye."

Those attending the ceremony were in a jovial mood. Any concerns about security or worries over the sweltering temperatures that have roasted Athens seemed forgotten as athletes hammed it up for friends with video cameras.

Some athletes, like the track team, haven't arrived in Athens yet. Other teams, like women's softball, water polo, the gymnasts, the synchronized swimmers and the swimmers, have started training in the Olympic facilities.

reprinted with permission