The Olympic flame is out, but the warmth of several key performances will never subside or flicker for Canadian fans after a very memorable last four days.
Hockey gold for both Canada’s men and women and similar results for the nation’s curling teams had Victoria sports fans all aflutter down the stretch drive of the Sochi Games.
Everyone has a favourite moment or two (or five) from these Games, which were full of intrigue.
Here is my top five although I didn’t get to witness a lot of other events live because of work commitments or time differences.
No. 1 for me (and many others, I’m sure) had to be the bounce-back win in women’s hockey. Can sport get any more exciting than the final four minutes of the third period and overtime in the gold-medal victory over the U.S.? I would think not. The euphoria and emotions said it all.
No. 2, Gilmore Junio’s heartfelt gesture to step aside for speedskating teammate Denny Morrison was an incredible moment, which will never be forgotten in this nation. The gracious move is the epitome of what the Olympics are truly about.
No. 3, although it was far less exciting, the men’s hockey triumph will also be cherished for quite some time. The final two results were dominating performances, especially defensively, as Canada shut it down against the Americans and Swedes.
The 3-0 gold-medal win was a show of complete dominance. Methodical and tactical, Sweden never really had a chance. Canada’s big stars came to play and what more can you say than, well done, eh!
Hats off to Victoria’s Jamie Benn, who has certainly won over the rest of Canada now.
No. 4, I must admit, I am a sucker for curling (blame it on living in Edmonton for 49 years where we were spoiled by true champions) and winning a pair of gold was predictable, but extremely satisfying - especially with how Brad Jacobs and Co. managed to bounce back after a sluggish 1-2 start.
I predicted a Canada win over Scotland - but that was almost a year previous in the Ford World Men’s Championship here in Victoria. We all know what happened back then. And what can I say? I’m a year behind on everything, lol.
As for Jennifer Jones, I would be lying if I told you that she was my favourite Canadian female curler to watch or, more importantly for me, cover. Media wise, the Winnipegger is more like last on my list of athletes to talk to, but what her team accomplished on the ice was quite frankly one of the most superior performances in women’s curling, ever.
No. 5, the Games began with a family affair for our great nation as the Dufour-Lapointe sisters, Justine and Chloe, grabbed gold and silver in the women’s moguls event. It was a tremendous early lift to these Games and set us all into Olympic mode.
Of course, Kallie Humphries and Heather Moyse defending their bobsled gold from the Vancouver Games also rates, but I did not witness that victory live, so it slides down my top five.
Surely there will be arguments to all those selections, but that’s what makes sports so attractive for fans and media alike.
Debate it all you like, but these memories from Sochi will last forever.
