Feature Stories
In Their Words: Brad Gushue
Feb 20, 2008
Brad Gushue is a product of the St. John's Curling Club in Newfoundland and Labrador. He skipped the Canadian men’s curling team at the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games. With teammates Russ Howard, Mark Nichols, Jamie Korab and Mike Adam, Gushue won the Olympic gold medal in curling and became the first Newfoundlander ever to win Olympic gold.
People Make the Games by Brad Gushue
Until the recent birth of my daughter Hayley, the 2006 Olympics in Torino was maybe the greatest experience in my life.
Having the honour of representing your country in the biggest sporting event in the world, and being part of the entire Canadian team was something I will never forget. The thought of those two and a half weeks still gives me goose bumps.
When people ask me what I remember about the Olympics, it isn’t a particular shot or a big win, it is the people you meet and the camaraderie of all the Canadian athletes. One of my fondest memories was the first night in the Olympic Village.
Raising the flag
When we first arrived we heard about a Canadian flag-raising ceremony. We attended the small ceremony and saw many Canadian athletes. Members of the women’s hockey team were the first to introduce themselves.
We were rookies at the Olympics and felt a little out of place, but the women’s hockey team helped make us feel welcome. So over the course of the Olympics, we had an opportunity to watch and support them in a couple games, as they did the same for us. Knowing that you have so many people behind you supporting your every move makes it easy to feel comfortable and play well.
Support from all sides
My other lasting memory of the Olympics is of the fans and the Italian people. It was amazing how much they embraced the Olympics and got into the spirit of the Games. Our event was staged in a small town called Pinerolo. It seemed as though everyone in the city was a volunteer or just wanted to make your experience there better. I cannot imagine my Olympic experience being as fulfilling if there was no interest from the Italian people.
I'll never forget the drive from our gold medal ceremony to Canada House. We drove past hundreds and probably thousands of people lining the streets waving flags and cheering us.
Having been an athlete for most of my life, I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to compete in an Olympic Games. It is something I wish every athlete had an opportunity to do. But what I didn’t realize before I went to the Olympics is that you can be part of the Olympic experience without being an athlete. Just being a supporter, volunteer or a fan can give you many of the same experiences.
There is a great feeling around the Olympics. I will be part of that again in Vancouver, whether as an athlete or in some other capacity.
In Their Words Series
In Their Words is a celebration of the two-year countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. This 17-part series is comprised of personal stories written by Olympians and leaders with a passion for the Games. Visit vancouver2010.com every day from February 12 to 28 for a fresh story of inspiration, triumph and hope.
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© 2009 The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
Olympic and Paralympic Games photography © Getty Images, unless otherwise stated.
