20°c A few clouds
7°c Sunny
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
The IceManitobans Cometh
Why so many and so fast on skates? Hint: It's nothing in the water
Within days, Kyle Parrott will be going to compete for Canada at the Olympic Games. The road to Vancouver 2010 has been tough, even taking him into dumpsters behind organic food stores. (CP)
-
Complete coverage of the Paralympic games in London.
Related Items
-
Articles
Sacrifice is part of the Olympic gig. So is pain and heartbreak. Just ask the six Manitobans who will be the backbone of Canada’s 16-member Olympic speed skating team, a curious and historic feat in itself.
They all have different stories — from unknown newcomer Parrott to 37-year-old flag-bearer Clara Hughes — but one theme is universal: From early ages, by serendipity or design, they’ve all striven with a single-minded, unshakable desire to compete in their sport at the highest level.
Even if it meant leaving behind their family and friends at age 16. Even if it meant trying to recover from debilitating, career-threatening injury. Even if it meant a lifetime devoted to excruciating and grueling training regimens that one of them blithely described as "basically torture."
So they skate, even with a monk-like devotion where every life decision is made based on the following question: "Will it make me faster?"
For the full story, see today's newspaper or our fpNews electronic edition.
More Olympics
- Back to Top
- Return to Olympics
More Olympics
(1 of 5 articles for today)
Source says Mike Krzyzewski returning to coach US men's Olympic team
4:14 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Olympics
- South Africa: Tears as court acquits Oscar Pistorius' brother in woman's death in accident
- Minnedosa's Parrott ready to pull out
- Former Olympic champ Koji Murofushi challenges IOC at CAS over disqualification from election
- Russian oligarchs foot much of the bill for 2014 Olympics in Sochi as price of doing business
- Three more for Canada
- IOC president Jacques Rogge says his successor should be paid a salary
- AP Sources: Singapore member Ng Ser Miang to announce candidacy for IOC president
- AP Source: CK Wu of Taiwan notifies Rogge he's running for IOC president
- Former Olympic champion Murofushi loses appeal at CAS in disputed IOC athletes election case
- IOC 'greatly impressed' with Madrid 2020 bid; says costs are reasonable
- Russian oligarchs foot much of the bill for 2014 Olympics in Sochi as price of doing business
- South Africa: Tears as court acquits Oscar Pistorius' brother in woman's death in accident
- AP Sources: Singapore member Ng Ser Miang to announce candidacy for IOC president
- Russia cracks down on illegal construction in Sochi ahead of 2014 Winter Olympics
- Column: IOC should put wrestling back on Olympic program, give other 2020 wannabes fair shot
- Istanbul 2020 Olympic bid says security top priority after bombings on Syrian border town
- Istanbul 2020 bid highlights improved transportation, infrastructure investment plans
- Former Olympic champ Koji Murofushi challenges IOC at CAS over disqualification from election
- Singapore's Ng Ser Miang cites 'global' credentials in IOC presidential bid
- Sinclair virtual shoo-in as flag bearer
- Russian oligarchs foot much of the bill for 2014 Olympics in Sochi as price of doing business
- South Africa: Tears as court acquits Oscar Pistorius' brother in woman's death in accident
- Report: High levels of arsenic in blood of ex-Russian Olympic official who was forced to quit
- Oscar Pistorius' older brother Carl in court again for continuation of culpable homicide trial
- Australian Olympic swimmers face sanction over sleeping pill use; admit to childish pranks
- Oly dreams close to reality
- 5 rings over Tulsa? Supporters want Oklahoma's 2nd-largest city to bid for 2024 Olympics
- AP Sources: Singapore member Ng Ser Miang to announce candidacy for IOC president
- Russia cracks down on illegal construction in Sochi ahead of 2014 Winter Olympics
- Stefka Kostadinova re-elected for 3rd term as president of Bulgarian Olympic Committee
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.