The closer we get to the Rio 2016 Olympics Opening Ceremonies, the more people are asking whether I’m going to be making the trip to Brazil. After an epic adventure with the Olympic Spirit Project at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, it’s really hard for me not to get on a plane to Rio in a couple of weeks, but sadly, the answer is no, I’m not going.
As much as every bone in my body wants to be there, I’ve made the choice to cheer for my first Olympic Games since becoming officially Canadian from my home country in Victoria, BC. The Olympic Spirit Project will take a little twist for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games this summer, and it will be based at Bear Mountain Resort’s RioReady Fan Zone.
Why Bear Mountain? Because I live there! And because the resort is the official training centre for 3 of our Canadian Olympic Teams: Mountain Biking, Golf, and Tennis, which makes it a perfect location to get that Olympic energy I’m always looking for. Victoria is actually the training headquarters for eight national sports teams, so I figure, if I’m going to be watching the Rio 2016 Olympics from anywhere that isn’t Rio, my own backyard is the next best place!
The Rio 2016 Olympic Spirit Project at Bear Mountain’s Rio Ready Fan Zone
The Olympic Spirit Project will be on location at the Bear Mountain Rio Ready Fan Zone in Victoria BC for the duration of the Games capturing fan excitement, celebration, and commentary. Stay tuned to this blog for images and updates from the event. If you’d like to be featured, dress up in your best patriotic costumes (whichever country you’re cheering for) and come on up the Bear Mountain and cheer on your team!
The RioReady Fan Zone has been designed as a place for the Victoria, BC public to come together in to celebrate and cheer on our Canadian Athletes at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Rio, Brazil. RioReady is a family-friendly event, so bring the kids and inspire them to be active in sport for life! What better way to inspire the next generation of athletes to DREAM BIG than to expose them to world class athletes competing on the world stage!
Silken Laumann on RioReady
Last month I attended the RioReady press conference and heard Silken Laumann (Three-time Olympic Medalist – Rowing) and Andrew Byrnes (Gold & Silver Medalist – Rowing) as well as Langford Mayor Stew Young speak about the celebration of community spirit around the Games. (It gave me chills just seeing and seeing so many people speak with such excitement about the Olympics again!)
Olympic Medalist, Silken Laumann at the RioReady Press Conference.
Silken Laumann with children wearing her Olympic medals (rowing) at the RioReady Press Conference, with Olympic medalist Andrew Byrnes (rowing) standing to her right.
This interview with Silken Laumann, from Victoria Sports News, provides a bit more information and will help your excitement around the Games and the RioReady event.
Fan Zone Live Viewing Schedule for the XXXI Olympic Games
Bear Mountain’s Rio Ready Fan Zone will be open to the public from August 5th to September 18, encompassing both the 2016 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Plan your viewing schedule and plan to get there early for prime viewing opportunities!
Rio 2016 Olympic Summer Games Schedule:
- OPENING CEREMONIES: Friday August 5 at 2pm (PST)
- Swimming: August 6 – 13
- Men’s & Women’s Tennis: August 6 – 14
- Rowing: August 6 – 20
- Diving: August 7 – 20
- Cycling Road: August 6 – 7
- Men’s Golf: August 17 – 20
- Women’s Golf: August 17 – 20
- Cycling – Mountain Biking: August 20 – 21
- Triathlon: August 18 – 20
- CLOSING CEREMONIES: Sunday, August 21 at 2 pm (PST)
RioReady Event Press Conference at Bear Mountain Resort
Rio 2016 Paralympic Summer Games Schedule:
- OPENING CEREMONIES: Wednesday, September 7 at 2 pm (PST)
- Sailing: September 12th – 17th
- Athletics: September 8th – 18th
- WheelChair Rugby: September 14th – 18th
- WheelChair Tennis: September 9th – 16th
- Cycling – Track: September 8th – 11th
- Cycling – Road: September 14th – 17th
- Paratriathon: September 10th – 11th
- Rowing: September 9th – 11th
- CLOSING CEREMONIES: Sunday, September 18 at 2 pm (PST)
Rio Ready Sponsors
The Rio Ready event at Bear Mountain is a jointly sponsored event with the combined efforts of PISE (the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence), the UVic Vikes, the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame, and Sporthost Victoria.
I’ll post more details about the event, the venue, and event activities as they become available.
Look for me shooting for the Olympic Spirit Project at RioReady for the Opening Ceremonies and MORE!
#GoCanadaGO!