Canadian multi-medallists Morrison and Chan reflect on Sochi experience
Posted Feb 15, 2014 3:19 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
He’s made headlines across the country multiple times for both his Olympic triumphs and some touching stories along the way.
On Saturday, Calgary-trained speed skater Denny Morrison won a bronze medal in the 1,500 metres, the second individual medal of his career.
On Wednesday, Morrison took a silver medal in the 1,000 metres after fellow athlete Gilmore Junio gave up his spot in the event.
“I can’t believe this is happening now, it’s really a dream come true,” the Fort St. John native said, with plenty of support around Calgary, trending on Twitter.
He also has some plans for when he returns to Canada.
“I hope to be taking them around to schools and showing them off to kids and hopefully getting them inspired to be the next generation of superstar Olympians,” he said.
Morrison may be right, as the Calgary Speed Skating Club has been getting a major increase with people wanting to register and get into the sport.
Patrick Chan is also coming home with multiple medals, after winning silver in the team and men’s figure skating events.
His performance in the free skate Friday, touching the ice on one jump and falling on another, led him to apologizing after the competition for not winning gold when he had a great chance to do so.
“It’s tough to not achieve the best at the Olympics when I’ve achieved the best in the past three years on the world championship stage and it only seems fit that I should’ve won these Games,” Chan said.
However, Chan received tremendous support from athletes, fans and politicians for his performance and he said he is proud of his accomplishment.
“It’s just been an amazing journey, so I really thank everyone from the bottom of my heart,” he said. “I think I’m still one of the best figure skaters in the world and I’ve changed the sport and that’s a gold medal in my mind.”
As for his future, Chan has not decided if this will be his last Olympics and that probably won’t change while he is still in Sochi, where unlike Vancouver, he is taking the time to enjoy the experience.
“I’m really enjoying every minute of these Games, it’s really exciting to be able to have this chance to be here and really cheer on other athletes and watch greatness live,” he said.
