mes 2013
TEAM CANADA
other nations, preparing for the traditional parade of nations. Standing outside the stadium the energy was unbelievably uplifting; the anticipation was tingling. The streets were lined with thousands of fans, jammed together, pressed up against barricades, screaming and waving. Faces painted, flags waving - we were celebrities. The roar of the stadium was strangely enchanting. We could see the lights flickering and hear the crowd inside, it had to be packed! 40,000? 50,000? We didn’t know the capacity of the stadium, but it sounded like a million for all we knew! Finally, we were led into the barrels of the stadium as we waved goodbye to our fans on the street (fans that we would soon reunite with in a more intimate capacity). As the security led us through the basement of the stadium we could feel the walls rumble from the action above. What were we about to walk into? As we turned a corner to reach the entrance to the field level we could start to see the stands. JAM PACKED! PEOPLE
STANDING AND CHEERING! FLAG WAVERS WAVING! CAMERA FLASHES FLASHING! We continued turning the corner, opening more and more of the stadium to our eyes. Not a single seat empty, the energy over whelming! We walked out onto the track, now in the stadium at ground level with a full 360 degree view of the situation we were now in. The announcer on the PA system announces CANADA! Loudly and triumphantly, the crowd, 50,000 strong, erupt into a roar. It appeared Canada was a crowd favourite already! The rush felt through my body was un-replicable. 50,000 screaming, passionate, wonderful Colombians sending their energy, their warmth, their love soaring into my body leaving me in a euphoric state of sweet bliss. We paraded around the track waving to the adoring audience, eventually being ushered by some official to hurry up as our pace was too slow and we were holding things up. Sorry ‘bout it Mr. Official, not going to happen. This was my one moment like this and I was going to take my time and soak it in.
After watching the opening ceremonies we were to exit the stadium and head to a secured Athlete-Only area where we wouldn’t be bothered by people. That sounded boring, so Andy (Collins) and I made other plans. We went into the crowd to mingle with what would quickly become “Andy’s people” or, as he referred to them, “My people”. Andy and I stood amongst the masses for over an hour posing for photos. Mums, grandmas, dudes, children, gorgeous girlfriends, you name it, everyone wanted a photo! At one point I was passed a baby that I had to hold in my arms because it was too young to even stand! Eventually, we just stood in one spot, arms out, permanent smile on, as people would shuttle in and out of our outstretched arms for their photo op. Moms and dads with their cameras frantically trying to get your attention so that you looked into the right lens, speedily turning your head the whole while trying to flash them pearly whites. It was actually exhausting, and at one point we had to provide crowd control. Through it all, everyone was friendly, appreciative and courteous in an extremely aggressive sort of way that one would never experience in Canada. Eventually, the security was sufficiently freaking out
Ultimate Canada Magazine -
www.canadianultimate.com 27
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