When casting about for valley personalities who personify athletics, competition and community spirit, would anybody be more appropriate than Olympic cross-country silver medallist Sara Renner and World Cup alpine champion Thomas Grandi?
Unlikely, especially with the motto Reach Your Peak attached to the games.
So, with the 2014 Alberta Winter Games less than a year in the offing (Feb. 6-9), what better time to lean on the couple as ambassadors?
Last week, Renner and Grandi took part in a promotional video which will be used to assist in attracting sponsors, welcome athletes and generally give the Bow Valley games a boost.
Taking part was a no-brainer for Renner, who still retains fond memories of her own Alberta Winter Games experience.
“A Winter Games in Sundre was the absolute highlight of my athletic beginnings,” she said. “It was thrilling. We all slept in a gym and all the athletes were driven around in buses – I couldn’t believe they actually thought we were athletes.
“I’d been in some cross-country races, but nothing structured, so those Winter Games were a glimpse of something much bigger. They were my true beginning as an athlete and an introduction to the competitive world.”
Renner also competed in a Summer Games in rowing, she said, “but obviously, that didn’t stick.”
For his part, Grandi didn’t compete in a Winter Games, “but then, not all communities offer what the Bow Valley does,” said Renner. “Not every community can offer alpine ski events.”
When the Winter Games committee approached Renner and Grandi, they jumped at the chance to help out. “We’ll be a liaison for other Olympians who will be around town also, it can help to get financing and we do represent the business community as well (they own Paintbox Lodge).
“We both think it’s important to give back and when there’s an opportunity, I say yes.”
As a youngster, Renner said she fondly remembers skiers like Carol Gibson and Jean McAllister (1988 Olympics, cross-country) speaking with herself and other young athletes. “At that age (Winter Games age), I remember them talking to us, telling us about being athletes and just that they took the time.”
As well as lighting a competitive fire within herself, Renner said provincial Winter Games were also the beginning for Olympians like Beckie Scott and the Fortier sisters, Amanda and Jaime.
“Girls who skied then at Winter Games were probably the strongest women’s team we’ve had later on. I would say we also had inspiration from the 1988 Calgary Games. We were all 12 years old, we watched the Olympics, then went to the Winter Games, which was our Olympics.
“I have such good memories of my Winter Games. We were away from home for the first time and with our peers. It was so exciting and it was so much fun. I don’t actually have any memories of how I did at the Games, but I remember the fun we had. It was really big for us.”
With hundreds of athletes expected to take part in the 2014 Winter Games, Renner said she hopes they enjoy the same experience she did.
“I think it’s the perfect introduction to get kids starting to dream bigger and better things than they thought possible. And there are so many sports.
“I was probably more nervous at those Games when I was 12 than I was at the Olympics (2006, Turin silver medal). I’d never done anything like the Winter Games before, but by the time I got to the Olympics, I had a lot of experience.”
Renner said the Bow Valley being filled to overflowing with young athletes will be a real treat for her. “It’ll be fun to relive it all through the eyes of other young kids.”
According to organizers, the 2014 Banff Canmore event (for 11 to 17 year olds) will attract more than 2,800 athletes, coaches, officials and performers in 22 sports.
In addition to the sports component, the Games also feature a celebration of culture, which will enable visitors and residents to experience local and Alberta cultures through a variety of performing and visual arts events and activities.
Up to 3,000 volunteers will be needed and it’s expected 10,000 visitors may take in the game, with an estimated $2.5 million economic impact expected.
