An Olympian perspective

Canada has 221 athletes competing, our biggest team ever. The pressure is high, and it’s now or never for the olympians.

Science says it takes 10,000 hours to master a single skill, and many athletes have been working for years for this one moment in time.

Canada’s first medal was a bronze captured by snowboarder Mark McMorris of Regina. Later on, Justine Dufour-Lapointe won our first gold in moguls, while her sister Chloe captured silver. Olympic Wrestler Ohenewa Akuffo has competed in Russia, and says, “When you see somebody have a good day and get rewarded, it’s always ‘Can I help make that medal count better?'”

There has been much talk over security threats in Russia, which can disrupt an athletes focus. Four-time olympic medallist Adam Van Koeverden is in Sochi as an analyst, and says “security is not an issue here… I feel very confident that Russia’s done everything to ensure the athletes’ and medias’ safety.”

CHCH reporter Perdita Felicien has some insight on what it takes to be an olympian, and offered her expertise.