::OLYMPIC ARRIVAL::

Ok, the first two things everyone wants to know, I'll clear them up first. YES, I saw Kobe Bryant and LeBron James at the cafeteria. And YES, they are a very big deal. I like basketball a lot, but I didn't scream and freak out and grab my camera and lose my junk just cause they're on tv all the time. That said, if Steve Nash was here, I might lose my junk... since he's so rad.

So we made it safely to Beijing, and it's great here. There are about a bajillion friendly happy Chinese volunteers here anxious to help us out in any way possible. Got out on the water twice today, which felt great after a couple days in transit over the North Pole. Staying out at the Dragon Villa in Shun Yi is perfect because we're close to the canoekayak venue, and we've totally got it made with great food, lots of space, a nice pool and everything we could need. A few trips into the Olympic Village, one tomorrow for the Opening Ceremony, should give us a decent enough dose of O.Village life. Can't wait for the Ceremony tomorrow, it's gonna be crazy!! They INVENTED fireworks here... so they better bring it! See you at the Bird's Nest!
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:ROGERS CUP 2008:

A huge thanks to one of my great sponsors, Rogers for inviting me to the finals of the Rogers Cup Tennis Championship this weekend!

It was incredible to watch Rafael Nadal live in action, a big congrats to him for winning the men's singles, and to fellow Canadian Olympic Team member Daniel Nestor for winning the doubles, and doubles at Wimbledon!!

Check out this Q&A with Sportsnet, it also links to my two most recent blogs about flagbearing!

::FLAGBEARER / PORTE-DRAPEAU::

What an incredible honour to be selected to carry our great country's flag at the Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing! With so many awesome Canadian athletes up for consideration, it was amazing just to be nominated alongside them. Thanks to the Hamilton Spectator and John for the article and great photo, it kind of looks like I'm visiting the Queen mum for high tea with that carpet and wallpaper though... haha. Je me sens tres bon sur l'eau, et je travaille forte sur mon francais, desole a chacun au Quebec (et au France, aussi) qui est decu que je ne sois pas entierement bilingue... je continuera a essayer!! A bientot!
yeah baby

::RIDEAU CANOE CLUB TRAINING CAMP::

A big thanks to the Rideau Canoe Club for their always-friendly training environment over the past few weeks during our Olympic training camp here in Ottawa, it's always a great place to be in the summer, as I said in this interview just the other day... Thanks especially to our great friends CH and AY for their friendly homeboy-hospitality...
Poppa was a Rollin' S Stone

A TRAGIC LOSS

My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and teammates of Gyorgy Kolonics. Gyorgy died from heart failure this morning while on the water training for what would have been his 5th Olympic games for Hungary. He was twice Olympic Champion, World Champion 15 times, and a sincere and gracious gentleman. I didn't know him very well, but well enough that he was, and continues to be a true inspiration. You will be missed, and remembered by all of us Kolo.
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