The BIG DAY!

I woke up four more times today, finally waking up for good at 5:30. Got to Canada Olympic Park at 7:00, for a full day of television, radio and print interviews. After two cups of coffee and six muffins {love 'em by the way}, I was ready for the day! Seven or eight tv interviews, a half a dozen radio interviews, and endless print journalist asked me questions about my experiences, and what it was like to be back in Calgary twenty years later, where Eddie "The Eagle" was born! At 11:00 Devon Harris from the Jamaican Bobsled team and I descended into a press conference at the base of the Zipline. There were over 75 media there, with cameras and recorders. I beat the bobsleigh bullitt Devon down the Zipline, to claim my first victory at COP!

Mayor Dave Bronconnier presented Devon and I with official "White Hats", which make us honorary Calgarians. I asked if the horse came with the Cowboy hat, to which Mayor Bronconnier told me to come back at Stampede, when horses will be aplenty! Lunch at the top of the K120 was shared with Canadian Olympic Medalists from 1988, as well as Canadian Olympic Officials from the 1988 Calgary Games to present. Lunch had to wait while I did a quick phone interview with Winapeg Radio. I had to quickly grab a bite to eat before being taken down to do another TV interview then it was off down to the lounge for a coffee and a rest. Called home to Sam to see how she and the kids were getting on. Rest was short lived, as Talk Sport radio came calling for a 15 minute interview.

By this time, the crowds in the day lodge were building, so it took 45 minutes to get through the crowd. I reminisced with some volunteers from the 88 Games, some of whom shared photographs with me, or had me sign anything they happened to be carrying. I made my way down to get suited up for the "Torch Light" descent. COP provided me with new Salamon ski boots, as mine had seen better days. Managed to grab five minutes to try on a ski suit {Sam's fed up with me skiing in my 80's retro outfit}, but was mobbed by well wishers, and had to be rescued! I met the kids that were going to ski with me down the hill, seven strong. The torch I had was actually from the 88 Games, and was provided to me at the top of the run, after a practice session, in formation with the kids. I signed all their helmets, even though they weren't even a twinkle in their parent's eyes when I raced here twenty years ago. Bad luck for me that the proceedings were delayed almost an hour, as the fuel in the torch ran out two minutes before my cue! Panic ensued, the music played on a few more minutes while Chris Dornan {Communications Manager, COP} searched for more fuel.

Went off without a hitch with torch refueled. I remember looking back half way down to see how fantastic it looked to see all the red torches the ski instructors were carrying zig zagging down the hill. I got to the bottom without falling, somewhat confused, as I usually ski down a hill in a straight line! Passed the torch to Gaetan Boucher, four time Canadian Medallist from past Olympics. He then passed the torch to Devon Harris, then on down the line to athletes from Games from 1988-2010. The ceremony to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Calgary Games then took the next 90 minutes, complete with mascots from the Vancouver 2010 Games, who were brought in by three dog sleds!

From 7:30-10:30 I signed anything and everything, posed for pictures, and shared stories with countless volunteers from the 88 Games, who were all wearing their jackets from twenty years ago. Looked fabulous too. I ended up back at the Palliser, crashed on the couch until 2:00 watching the telly, then headed to bed at two....full day indeed, but a day I'll never forget. Has it really been TWENTY years!