Olympics 'superfan' loved Vancouver, can't wait for 2012

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By Heather Travis
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
There is an Olympic fan in all of us and this was made clear during the last two weeks by the discussions over water-coolers, many checking statistics and medal counts over lunch hours, and crowds streaming into the streets after a gold medal hockey game.
 
Michael Coleby, Assistant Director and Executive Chef - Great Hall Catering, was among cheering fans watching as local long-track speed skater Christine Nesbitt (daughter of Earth Sciences professor Wayne Nesbitt) struck gold in the 1000-metre women's speed skating and as ice dance pair Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir skated into the hearts of Canadians and a gold medal victory.
 
Michael Coleby
 
For a self-proclaimed Olympic “fanatic,” there may have been a tear or two watching these young athletes.
 
For more than 50 years, since his family bought its first television, Coleby has watched the Olympic Games with fervour.
 
“I’ve never been good at sports, any sport,” he says. “I watch because it’s the ultimate sporting event in every discipline – to be the best you can be. Race, politics, or any other issue is of no importance. It’s just pure sport.
 
“I used to know all the athletes’ names, their times, what was happening, etc. I could only do that in the Olympics because it’s just too much information if you try to do that throughout the year. In the Olympics, you have the Internet, all this information coming at you.”
 
He has a wealth of Olympic trivia in his mind, having watched summer and winter events so closely throughout the years.
 
You can hear the excitement in his voice as he recounts Vancouver highlights, including the first Olympic gold on home soil by freestyle skier Alexandre Bilodeau in men’s moguls. Almost as touching are stories of personal struggle and triumph, such as the heartbreaking story of bronze-medal figure skater Joannie Rochette.
 
Coleby doesn’t favour one sport over another, he happily watches it all. Because much of the Olympic coverage aired during work hours, he digitally recorded moments he knew he would miss.
 
“Every single moment is exciting, especially when you have a Canadian competing.”
 
Like millions of viewers, he followed victories and disappointments over the 17 days celebrating excellence in winter sports. He admits to envying the athletes’ determination, commitment to training and physical conditioning, but he prefers being a cheerleader.
 
He was tempted to visit his son, who lives in Vancouver, but the executive chef decided to watch the action on television. With the 2012 Summer Games being held in London, England, Coleby might turn Olympic dreams into a reality by returning to his homeland to witness events firsthand.
 
From a “spectacular” opening ceremony that showcased the best of his country, to the way challenges were handled throughout the Games, Vancouver lived up to the expectations of ‘superfans’ like Coleby.
 
“Canada did an excellent job as host city/nation; it appeared that everything went according to plan. They did have some weather issues, but they handled it to the best of their abilities.
 
“It gives Canada a wonderful profile and makes us proud to being able to say we are from Canada.”

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