Marnie McBean's Blog, page 3

This is Your Story: Tokyo2020+1

Posted in Mentor Messages

An Open Letter to Canada’s Tokyo 2020 hopefuls: This Is Your Story



One year to go – again. Tokyo 2020 is now Tokyo 2020+1



It was a summer no one expected. The Tokyo 2020 Games were postponed, athletes had to put a pause on training and the future seemed scary and uncertain.

With exactly one year to go before the start of the Games, I penned this letter to Tokyo 2020 hopefuls:

“I can’t help but wonder: What is today? Is it a recognition of a missed year? Or a celebration of one year out? Either way, it’s part of your story.

Everything that has (or hasn’t) happened in the last six months and what will happen in the coming year, is part of your story.

What story? Every Olympian has a story, it usually has a lesson in it, and they tell it in different ways:

1. Their VERY SHORT story is of a moment during the Games.

2. Their SHORT story spans the Opening to Closing Ceremony and includes both Olympic competition and the Olympic city. (A bit of sport, a bit of culture, a bit of a party).

3. Their REAL story is longer, much, much longer. It’s a detailed, behind the scenes tale of persistence, determination, effort and resilience. It happens in isolation as well as before crowds and includes tears, pain, joy and celebration.

Most (all?!) Olympic stories include tales about how solid plans got disrupted and then how they were assessed, recalculated and continued. Think of an athlete you know or even someone you only know of. Do you think they got through their journey on a direct path? Not a chance.

So here you are. You had a goal and a plan. You were sent home. Your plan was put on hold.

More accurately, your plan was thrown in the garbage but your goal was not. However, your story continues. You’ve come up with a plan and you, and your team, are figuring it out. This is what you have always done – figure things out and thrive.

How you figure this out IS YOUR STORY.

As it always has been with sport, we can’t predict the end. Win or lose: that’s always been the game of it. One year from now, five years from now, or 20 years from now, you’ll be sharing your story. This (incredibly unique) story.

Your 2020 Olympic story is being written by you. It includes all the work and competition that led up to the global COVID-19 shutdown, it includes everything that you’ve been doing since February and it will include everything that will come in the next year.

Team Canada takes pictures as they arrive during the opening ceremony for the 2016 Olympic Games. COC Photo/Mark Blinch

No matter what happens, continue to figure out a story that you’ll be proud to share. Continue to believe that you are capable of more. Continue to build a better, stronger and healthier you.

Many great stories are emerging during this time. Recently, Moh Ahmed shattered the Canadian 5,000-metre record to crack the all-time top-10 list (congrats, Moh!). Andre De Grasse posted a winning time of 9.69 seconds in the 100 yard event at the Weltklasse meet that was reduced and spread out due to COVID-19.

Erica Wiebe started her Executive MBA Americas program at Queen’s/Cornell. I saw Meaghan Benfeito, Pierre-Luc Poulin and Joelle Bekhazi share photos of returning to training in what has literally been months (keep those coming!).

Jacqueline Simoneau represented her graduating class at Vanier College as Valedictorian. And Pam Buisa, supported by Josiah Morra and Charity Williams, organized a peace rally for Black Lives in Victoria.

This is just a snapshot and as Chef de Mission for Team Canada, I couldn’t be prouder of the story that you’re telling so far.

To those who have not yet been able to return to the field of play, know that the team behind the team is working hard to find solutions for you.

And to all of the athletes, coaches and support team who have been on the frontlines through all of this, THANK YOU!

So, what are you adding to your story today? – Marnie

Celebrating Canada Day, Team Canada and you.

Posted in Mentor Messages

Happy Canada Day!

It’s July 1, 2020.  In any other Olympic year, we would be counting down the next 24 days with laser focus. You would be in your prime: ready. Team Canada would be pumped. But here we are – your preparation and performance on hold and the Maple Leaf that you so proudly wear in competition around the world remains tucked away, for now.

Even so, it’s never been more important for you to feel the strength and support that comes from being Canadian and part of Team Canada. There is the strength and support that you contribute to Team Canada and the strength and support that you receive from being one of its members. As Canadians, we embrace diversity, inclusion and community values. Together we are like individual threads that wind together to create the strength of a cable; collectively the strengths of some support others.

As a young athlete, I realized that I’d developed a deep connection to our flag. For so long it epitomized my dreams. I admit, I talked to it – sharing my ambitions and fears. In training, it kept me motivated and in competition, it kept me calm and focused.  

At my first Opening Ceremony, I saw our flag, with its bright red borders, crisp white centre and bold Maple Leaf. It was scattered around the massive Olympic stadium. It’s amazing how our flag stands out among the hundreds of others. It’s beautiful, powerful and distinct. Seeing it, even so far from home, made me feel at ease. It was amazing to have that same flag on both my uniform and oars when I raced.

Years ago, I wrote, “The Canadian flag represents millions, but when I look at it, I see it as a lone sentry; it has my back, it stands on guard for me.” What I was trying to do when I wrote that piece was help athletes diffuse the pressure that they can face if they assume the expectations of millions of Canadians on their Olympic performance. It’s funny how time changes perspective because that’s not how I see it these days. Now, I see the potential that we generate when we act together. I don’t want a lone sentry. I want a community.  

Everything going on right now proves to us that when we’re standing up for each other, we are stronger together. The millions of Canadians behind the flag are also Team Canada. When we do it right, we are millions of sentries, friends and allies.

This is what I choose to celebrate on Canada Day. It’s not just our incredible geography that makes our country special. It’s our team, it’s the people – it’s you.  You are leaders, allies, and community builders. You are Team Canada when a strong and united Team Canada is most needed. Thank you.

Take pride that you are someone who gets to wear our Maple Leaf and represent our country. Whether you have been named to the team or are an Olympic hopeful, I hope you enjoy your role leading your community and that you also know that there is a massive Team Canada behind you, caring for you.

It’s pretty awesome to see the return-to-training pictures and videos that you are posting. From Will Crothers and the rowers carrying their boats to the water wearing masks, to Erica Wiebe and Danielle Lappage and wrestlers actually getting to grapple (in a field) to Jenn Abel and the divers back at the pool. Yay!

Sport by sport, location by location, you’re all figuring it out. 

Today is today. Make it a good one!

Posted in Mentor Messages

For a novel virus – it certainly feels like the novelty has worn off. I’d love to be saying, “way to go!”, that after 50+ days we’re almost done… but, as our collective actions continue to save tens of thousands of Canadian lives, we just don’t know when or how our stay-at-home advisories will be lifted. 

It may feel that your 2020 plans are on hold or even squashed entirely – they aren’t; but you will need to adapt them to fit 2021. I can imagine that all of this waiting-to-start is not easy; on your body or your brain, you have never trained to wait. (I have often said that waiting to race was way more stressful than actually racing.)   

Recently, Canadian Space Astronaut, Commander Chris Hadfield spoke to a group of carded athletes about managing uncertainty. One of the first things he suggested was that we need to accept the new place that we are in, and more to the point, the new place YOU are in. Once you are over the shock that the plan that you had has changed; be it a mental plan, physical plan, or action plan – you need to accept that things have changed, that you are in a new place AND that you need to move forward. 

But how do you do that when your long-term planning is stalled? 

One recommendation from Chris was to recognize that we are responsible for “growing the inertia of our own contentment”.  That is to say… it’s up to you to make yourself happy.  As we adjust our plans to fit the new place that we are in, he recommended that we create new objectives. These new objectives don’t all need to be connected to your BIG plans, but can give you a few ‘wins’ in the short and mid-term. 

Guitar, yoga, knitting, reading, school work, family, zooming, languages, core strength, sketching, writing, coding, cooking, inverted dressing, floor-is-lava-ing….Pursue your passions and/or curiosities. While it’s challenging to work on large motor skills right now, use the time you have to develop small ones.

In the “before times” your daily routine was focused on preparing for very specific goals in the future. Then, your “todays” were a tool to get you to tomorrow. In the “now times” you need only focus on today. 

Long-term, back to sport planning will come – talk to your coaches and team leaders for direction, but for now, accept that we remain in a complex environment. Municipal, provincial, national and international decisions will be different depending on situations and strategies. 

Right now – Let TODAY be the goal. Continue to find ways make today feel like a good day. 

Cheers to you – We are all Team Canada. 

Marnie 

Game ON! Seize the opportunity. Reconnect with play.

Posted in Mentor Messages

A countdown clock displays the remaining days until the new start date for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The opening ceremony will be held July 23, 2021 after this year’s Games was postponed last week due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Jae C. Hong/Associated Press)

“And the clock is reset: when 116 days becomes 480. #Tokyo2020NE!”

– Yesterday’s tweet from Rosie MacLennan, two time Olympic Champion

So now we know when. The Tokyo Olympic Games have officially been rescheduled for July 23 – August  8, 2021. These Games will officially be known as the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games… but I’m a fan of the meme “Tokyo 202ONE”! (apologies that this doesn’t translate well).

la version français suite

Over the last week (has it only been 1 week?!) there have been many thoughtful interviews, social media and blog posts by Olympians; Olympic hopefuls, veterans and retired. It’s been a roller coaster. You’ve all expressed your heartfelt emotions; utter disappointment, anger, resilience, relief and through it all – understanding. You have all understood that as part of our bigger Team Canada, 37 million strong, we all need to be part of flattening the curve. 

“Instead of pushing back on what life has brought on all of us, I made the commitment to accept what is and cherish what lies ahead. Training is what keeps me focused and what makes me feel alive. I have found a way to stay in shape at a slower pace in the comfort of my home. Right now, that’s all I need.”

Jennifer Abel, Olympic Bronze Medalist, three-time Olympian in Diving

World Champion swimmer, Maggie MacNeil finds herself back in her parents’ (now heated!) backyard pool and posted “To the little pool that got me into swimming… now it’s helping to keep the dream alive during this crazy time”

Same for Sage Watson, Olympian in 400m hurdles, who is back on a family ranch in Medicine Hat. “This is where I first started running when I was 6 years old and it’s so fitting that I’m continuing my Olympic goals here at home.”

Lately, your creativity and humour are also shining through. 

Softball player Emma Carr has taken to bench pressing her sofa and Skylar Park, who has qualified for her first Olympics in Taekwondo, has her three brothers to use as sparring partners in her basement! Another athlete headed to his first Olympics, Sport Climber Sean McColl, has taken to posting a #dailychallenge – his push-ups done on cutting boards come with a warning! Olympic Champion in Big Air Snowboard and two-time Olympian, Sebastien Toutant’s posts seem to have inspired skateboarder Annie Guglia to have fun working on her in-home balance and agility.

As time passes this won’t be easy. The novelty of being creative and training in isolation will wear off. All of you face unique challenges in trying to stay in the world-class shape that you’ve worked so hard for. Facilities are scarce, to say the least, but there is an opportunity here. Reconnect with the joy and play that lit your fire for your sport.

Somewhere along your sport path, you went from having nothing but fun doing your sport to taking it very, very, seriously. In my own career, I recognized that success and experience were often the enemy of joy and play.

It has always seemed to me that successful athletes enjoy what they do; commitment to sport is their choice, not their sacrifice. They take their training and sport very seriously while at the same time operating like what they are doing is super fun. As a champion moves around with confidence and swagger it seems that they might know some secret. I believe that secret is rooted in perspective: Sport might seem like your whole life… but it’s not. Sport is what you do: It’s not who you are. Remembering this helps you stay connected with joy.

As you wait for each of your international sport federations to come up with competition plans for the next 480 days, use this interim time at home to have fun. Reconnect with friends and family in a way that likely hasn’t been possible for years. Find ways to laugh. Use mental imagery to ingrain proper technique thus undoing bad technical habits. You’ve got time to do proper rehab on injuries. Find ways to recharge your physical and mental batteries so when the infection rate comes down to a safe level and someone gets to yell “GAME ON”, you don’t need to be reminded that sport should be fun… you’re set and ready to play – like a champion. 

 “I don’t think there’s positive or negative — I see practicality. The only feasible way to hold the Olympics is to do it another time. If you are asking about a silver lining, I’m not thinking about that. I’m not being optimistic or pessimistic, I’m just being practical.”

Adam van Koeverden, Olympic Champion, four-time Olympian in Kayak Sprint, current MP for Milton, Ontario and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Sport)

We Are All #TeamCanada,    

Marnie

Marnie McBean OC OLY
Chef de Mission Team Canada Tokyo 2020

 You got this email because you are on the long list, as an athlete, coach, support staff or mission staff, for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. I welcome replies and questions. Agree with me or disagree with me I’m happy to hear it – but most importantly – if this starts a conversation with your teammates, your coach – or yourself – about what you are doing or need to be doing – then we’re on our way towards MORE.

Au jeu! Saisissez l’occasion. Renouez avec le jeu.

« Et le cadran est remis à zéro : quand 116 jours deviennent 480. #Tokyo2020NE »  

La double championne olympique Rosie MacLennan

Alors maintenant, nous savons quand. Les Jeux olympiques de Tokyo ont été officiellement reprogrammés du 23 juillet au 8 août 2021. Ces Jeux seront officiellement connus sous le nom de Jeux olympiques de Tokyo 2020… mais j’aime beaucoup la trouvaille « Tokyo 202ONE »! (mes excuses, cela ne se traduit pas bien).

Au cours de la dernière semaine (cela ne fait-il qu’une semaine?!), il y a eu un grand nombre d’entrevues, de publications sur les médias sociaux et de blogues réfléchis de la part d’Olympiens, qu’ils soient espoirs olympiques, vétérans et retraités. Nous traversons une période mouvementée. Vous avez tous exprimé vos émotions sincères; déception totale, colère, résilience, soulagement et, à travers tout cela, compréhension. Vous avez tous compris qu’au sein de notre Équipe Canada élargie, forte de 37 millions de membres, nous devons tous contribuer à aplanir la courbe.

« Au lieu de m’apitoyer sur ce que la vie nous a apporté, j’ai pris l’engagement d’accepter la situation et de chérir ce qui nous attend. L’entraînement est ce qui me permet de rester concentrée et ce qui fait que je me sens vivante. J’ai trouvé un moyen de rester en forme à un rythme plus lent dans le confort de ma maison. Pour l’instant, c’est tout ce dont j’ai besoin. »

Jennifer Abel, médaillée de bronze olympique, triple Olympienne en plongeon

Championne du monde en natation, Maggie MacNeil se retrouve dans la piscine de ses parents (maintenant chauffée!) et a publié « Dans la petite piscine qui m’a fait découvrir la natation… maintenant, elle aide à garder mon rêve bien vivant pendant cette période folle ».

Idem pour Sage Watson, Olympienne au 400 m haies, qui est de retour sur le ranch familial à Medicine Hat. « C’est ici que j’ai commencé à courir quand j’avais six ans et c’est tellement approprié que je continue la poursuite de mes objectifs olympiques ici à la maison. »

Dernièrement, votre créativité et votre humour sont aussi en évidence.

La joueuse de softball Emma Carr pratique le développé couché à l’aide de son canapé et Skylar Park, qui s’est qualifiée pour ses premiers Jeux olympiques en taekwondo, utilise ses trois frères comme partenaires d’entraînement dans son sous-sol! Un autre athlète qui participera à ses premiers Jeux olympiques, le grimpeur sportif Sean McColl, a décidé de publier un #défiquotidien – ses « pompes » réalisées sur des planches à découper sont accompagnés d’un avertissement! Les publications de Sébastien Toutant, champion olympique de snowboard Big Air et double Olympien, semblent avoir inspiré la skateboardeuse Annie Guglia à s’amuser en travaillant sur son équilibre et son agilité à la maison.

Avec le temps, ce ne sera pas facile. La nouveauté d’être créatif et de s’entraîner en vase clos disparaîtra. Vous êtes tous confrontés à des défis uniques en essayant de conserver la forme de calibre mondial pour laquelle vous avez travaillé si dur. Les installations sont pour le moins rares, mais il y a une occasion à saisir. Renouez avec le plaisir et le jeu qui ont déclenché votre passion pour votre sport.

Quelque part, le long de votre parcours sportif, vous êtes passé uniquement d’avoir du plaisir à pratiquer votre sport à le prendre très, très, très au sérieux. Dans ma propre carrière, j’ai réalisé que le succès et l’expérience étaient souvent l’ennemi du plaisir et du jeu.

Il m’a toujours semblé que les athlètes qui réussissent aiment ce qu’ils font; l’engagement envers le sport est leur choix, pas leur sacrifice. Ils prennent leur entraînement et leur sport très au sérieux tout en vaquant à leurs activités comme si ce qu’ils font est super amusant. Alors qu’un(e) champion(ne) se déplace avec confiance et assurance, il semble qu’il ou elle puisse connaître un secret. Je crois que ce secret est ancré dans la perspective : il peut sembler que le sport est toute votre vie… mais ce n’est pas le cas. Le sport est ce que vous faites : ce n’est pas qui vous êtes. Se souvenir de cela vous aide à continuer à avoir du plaisir.

Pendant que vous attendez que vos fédérations internationales de sport élaborent des plans de compétition pour les 480 prochains jours, utilisez cette période à la maison pour vous amuser. Renouez avec vos amis et votre famille d’une manière qui n’a probablement pas été possible depuis des années. Trouvez des façons de rire. Utilisez l’imagerie mentale pour ancrer la bonne technique, annulant ainsi les mauvaises habitudes techniques. Si vous êtes blessé(e), vous avez le temps de vous rétablir de manière appropriée. Trouvez des moyens de recharger vos batteries physiques et mentales. Ainsi, quand le taux d’infection reviendra à un niveau sécuritaire et que quelqu’un criera « AU JEU », vous n’aurez pas besoin qu’on vous rappelle que le sport doit être amusant… vous serez prêt(e) et prêt(e) à jouer – comme un(e) champion(ne).

 « Je ne pense pas que ce soit positif ou négatif – je vois l’aspect pratique. La seule façon possible d’organiser les Jeux olympiques est de le faire à une date ultérieure. Si vous demandez s’il y a un côté positif, je ne pense pas à cela. Je ne suis ni optimiste ni pessimiste, je suis simplement pratique. »

Adam van Koeverden, champion olympique, quadruple Olympien en kayak de vitesse, actuel député de Milton, en Ontario, et secrétaire parlementaire de la ministre de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion et de la Jeunesse et du ministre du Patrimoine canadien (Sport)

Nous sommes tous #ÉquipeCanada

Marnie

Marnie McBean OC OLY
Chef de Mission Team Canada Tokyo 2020
www.marniemcbean.ca

Vous avez reçu ce courriel parce que votre nom figure sur la liste préliminaire comme athlète, entraîneur(e), membre du personnel de soutien ou du personnel de mission pour les Jeux olympiques de Tokyo 2020. Je serai heureuse de recevoir vos réponses et vos questions. Que vous soyez d’accord avec moi ou non, je serai ravie de l’entendre – mais plus important encore – si cela déclenche une conversation avec vos coéquipiers, votre entraîneur(e) – ou vous-même – sur ce que vous faites ou devez faire – alors nous sommes en route vers PLUS.

Tokyo 2020 postponed to 2021 // Tokyo 2020 reporté à 2021

Posted in Marnie in the News

In a move that was highly anticipated, the Tokyo 2020 Games have been postponed. We appreciate and are thankful that the IOC quickly clarified their position on protecting the health and safety of athletes and their communities.

“In the present circumstances and based on the information provided by the WHO today, the IOC President and the Prime Minister of Japan have concluded that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021, to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community.

… It was also agreed that the Games will keep the name Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. “

JOINT STATEMENT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE AND THE TOKYO 2020 ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

This is the best news we could have hoped for given the circumstances.

Our understanding is that qualifications stand and we will request that be officially confirmed. For those who were expecting opportunities to qualify this spring/summer, your NSO and IF will determine and communicate to you what the new process to qualify will be. Please be patient. There remain many logistical elements to work out, but we should appreciate this clarity – you do not need to be ready to compete this summer. Follow the direction of our Federal and Provincial leaders – stay home, practice social distancing – flatten the curve.

I think as a team we can be extraordinarily proud of how we – how you – stood united in the last two days. The announcement that we made just 36 hours ago that Team Canada would not attend a July 2020 Olympic Games was shocking to all. I respect that many of your reactions were visceral and yet – each of you followed up your comments of disappointment and heartache with understanding. Thank you. It is incredible to watch a team come together like that. At this time, the health and safety of our communities comes first.

When the infection rate of COVID-19 has come down to a safe level for sport to resume, when you get to train properly and then compete with the maple leaf on your chest – the Olympic and Paralympic Games will once again be seen as a symbol of hope. Tokyo 2020 will be a celebration of all that we now seek to overcome. There may be no better way to move on from this most difficult time than seeing the world brought together through sport the way only an Olympic Games can. 

More information will come from your National Sport Organization and the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Postpone today, conquer tomorrow. We are all Team Canada.

C-A

Team Canada will not send athletes to Games in summer 2020 due to COVID-19 risks

Posted in Marnie in the News

These are not easy days. I’ve been on many calls today, listening to your Athletes’ Commission, your National Sports Organizations, Team Canada’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mike Wilkinson, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee discussing how they wanted to respond to today’s IOC statement and the global pandemic overall. It made me so incredibly proud to be the Chef de Mission of this team.

Together in harmony, the conversation was about making a strong statement; not about what will happen on July 24th, but about what is happening today in our communities, our country and globally. The desire to be role models and leaders in the efforts to flatten the curve and protect the vulnerable was repeated at all levels. The difficult decision was made to not send Canadian teams to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the summer of 2020.

I can imagine this note is in part both crushing and a relief. We’ve been waiting for some real decisions. This is NOT about cancelling the Olympics. The COC’s position to the IOC will reiterate that qualified spots should remain qualified and that we look forward to the updated qualifying process for our remaining team members and that Team Canada is intent on participating. We will send our full team.

What we know about today is that there is no safe way for you to train for the Olympics. What we don’t want to do is put you, your coaches and your families at any risk by trying to be the exception to what is the consistent advice of our national health care professionals. The COC and the CPC are urgently calling on the IOC to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This statement means that for now… stay safe, maintain your social distance, and or self-isolation.

Now is the time to stay home; to keep your body active in a home workout or, if possible, in an isolated open space workout. Talk to your NSOs about further direction for suggestions on staying active.

The IOC has suggested that they would provide postponement options in four weeks. We still look forward to those. The situation we are all in is incredibly fast-moving. We just didn’t feel it was fair or safe to keep you in the dark for so long.

The leadership and compassion from COC President Tricia Smith and David Shoemaker, CEO of the COC has been incredibly inclusive and transparent. Tricia herself was an athlete on the boycotted 1980 Olympics and knows what it’s like to have a Games taken from an athlete. She is steadfast in her efforts for that not to happen again.

There is still a lot to unfold and there will be more answers to come. Please remember we are all in this together as Team Canada, and as a nation. The key is for the Olympics to happen when it is safe and responsible for everyone.

Marnie 
Marnie McBean OC OLY
Chef de Mission Team Canada Tokyo 2020

Nous ne vivons pas une période facile. J’ai participé à plusieurs appels téléphoniques aujourd’hui où j’ai entendu votre Commission des athlètes, vos organismes nationaux de sport, le chef des services médicaux d’Équipe Canada Dr Mike Wilkinson, le Comité olympique canadien (COC) et le Comité paralympique canadien (CPC) discuter de leur réponse à la déclaration du CIO aujourd’hui et à la pandémie mondiale dans son ensemble. Cela m’a rendue incroyablement fière d’être la chef de mission de cette équipe.

Ensemble dans l’harmonie, la conversation était à propos d’élaborer une déclaration claire et forte; ce n’était pas à propos de ce qui se produira le 24 juillet, mais à propos de ce qui se produit aujourd’hui dans nos collectivités, dans notre pays et à travers le monde. Le désir d’être des modèles et des chefs de file dans l’effort visant à aplanir la courbe de la propagation du virus et de protéger les personnes vulnérables a été répété à tous les niveaux. Au final, la décision difficile a été prise de ne pas envoyer d’équipes canadiennes aux Jeux olympiques et paralympiques à l’été 2020.

Je peux imaginer que cette information peut à la fois vous déchirer et vous soulager. Nous étions dans l’attente de véritables décisions. Nous ne parlons PAS ici d’annuler les Jeux olympiques. La position du COC auprès du CIO réitérera que les places de qualification devraient rester comme telles et que nous avons hâte de voir le processus de qualification mis à jour pour les autres membres de notre équipe. Équipe Canada compte y participer en envoyant une équipe complète.

Ce que nous savons aujourd’hui est qu’il n’existe aucun moyen sécuritaire pour vous de vous entraîner pour les Jeux olympiques. Ce que nous ne voulons pas est que vous soyez à risque ou que vos entraîneurs et vos familles soient à risque en tentant d’éviter les avis et directives de nos autorités nationales de santé publique. Le COC et le CPC lancent un appel d’urgence au CIO de reporter les Jeux olympiques de Tokyo 2020. Cette déclaration signifie pour le moment… que vous devez prendre soin de vous et de mettre en pratique la distanciation sociale et l’isolement.

Le temps est venu de rester à la maison; de garder vos corps actifs par l’entremise d’un entraînement à domicile ou, si cela est possible, dans le cadre d’un entraînement dans un espace extérieur isolé. Parlez à vos ONS de suggestions sur des façons comment vous pouvez rester actifs.

Le CIO compte présenter des options de report dans les quatre prochaines semaines. Nous avons hâte d’étudier ces options. La situation dans laquelle nous sommes tous impliqués progresse à un rythme étourdissant. Nous ne sentions tout simplement pas que c’était juste ni sécuritaire de vous garder dans l’incertitude pendant tout ce temps.

La direction et la compassion de la présidente du COC Tricia Smith et du chef de la direction du COC David Shoemaker ont été incroyablement inclusives et transparentes. Comme athlète qui a été touchée par le boycottage des Jeux de 1980, Tricia sait ce que c’est de se faire prendre ses Jeux pour un(e) athlète. Elle est déterminée par ses efforts que cela ne se reproduise pas.

Il reste encore beaucoup d’étapes à franchir et de réponses à découvrir. Veuillez ne jamais oublier que nous traversons tout cela ensemble, comme Équipe Canada et comme nation. La clé dans tout cela est que les Jeux olympiques puissent être présentés dans un cadre responsable et sécuritaire pour tous.

Marnie 
Marnie McBean OC OLY
chef de mission d’Équipe Canada aux Jeux de Tokyo 2020

 

An Open Letter to Team Canada re:Covid19

Posted in Marnie in the News

March 17, 2020
Dear Team Canada,

 Earlier today, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that it remains fully committed to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. With four months to go before the Games, it will refrain from making any further decisions at this time. We support this move by the IOC—we all hope and are continuing to plan for the Olympics to proceed in July—but our hope needs to be put in context.

The current pandemic is among the most challenging health issues that we have had to confront in many generations. Lives are at risk on a global basis, and there is an unprecedented level of worry and anxiety in our communities. Sport, understandably and appropriately, ranks low in terms of these priorities and we have seen many sport leagues and circuits suspend operations during this crisis without any clear sense of when normal operations will resume.  

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is focusing on what is in front of us and attempting to do all that it can to flatten the infection-rate curve. We will continue to take all steps to protect the health of everyone and work to contain the spread of the virus. All of us play a critical role in mitigating the spread and transmission of the virus, as we follow the recommendations of Health Canada and the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is a constantly evolving situation and is a threat to which many countries are having to adapt. Nobody can know what the coming days, weeks and months will hold. We will do our part.

Preparation and planning for Tokyo 2020 has been adapted to protect everyone’s health and to slow the virus. This includes having all staff work from home, virtual meetings instead of face-to-face and suspension of non-essential, work-related travel. 

The IOC and sport movement have put in place several similar measures. Olympic qualifying events have been cancelled. 43% of the Olympic places have not yet been qualified and the IOC has put in place an expedited process to clarify new procedures so athletes can prepare.  The IOC’s task force consisting of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee, the Japanese authorities and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government continues to monitor the situation 24/7. Every aspect of preparation is being analyzed and adapted. This includes everything from the lighting of the Olympic torch, the Games preparation supply chain and virtual Games Coordination meetings; all to ensure people are protected and the virus slowed.

The Olympic community understands the challenges to athletes from competitions having been halted and athletes being unable to train. The anxiety that athletes are feeling about the pandemic is much like anyone else’s, and although it includes hope for the Olympic Games, it is clear that hope for containment of this virus is first and foremost.

We do not know what will happen in the next 24 hours, no less the next four months, and that is the reason there need not be a definitive decision today about any changes to the plans to hold the Olympic Games. As we progress toward July 24, we will make our decisions based on the information provided by the IOC, WHO and our health experts. The health and safety of the world community, which of course includes our athletes, will always be paramount.  

We, the sport community, the entire world, are in this together. What a celebration the Olympic Games could be for the world, a symbol of what we can achieve when we work together, caring for each other.

We are Team Canada. 

Sincerely / Yours in sport,

Tricia Smith, President, COC
David Shoemaker, CEO and Secretary General, COC
Marnie McBean, Team Canada’s Tokyo 2020 Chef de Mission
Seyi Smith, Chair, COC Athletes’ Commission
Rosie MacLennan, Vice-Chair, COC Athletes’ Commission

Lettre ouverte à Équipe Canada sur la COVID-19

17 mars 2020
Chers membres d’Équipe Canada,

Plus tôt aujourd’hui, le Comité international olympique (CIO) a annoncé qu’il était entièrement engagé à la tenue des Jeux olympiques de Tokyo 2020. À quatre mois de l’ouverture de ces Jeux, il s’abstiendra de prendre toute autre décision à ce moment. Nous appuyons la position du CIO et nous espérons tous que ces Jeux se déroulent en juillet, tout en poursuivant nos préparatifs en ce sens. Cependant, notre espoir doit être mis en contexte.

La pandémie actuelle figure parmi les enjeux sanitaires les plus difficiles auxquels nous ayons à faire face depuis de nombreuses générations. Des vies sont en jeu à l’échelle planétaire et il existe un niveau sans précédent d’inquiétude et d’anxiété dans nos collectivités. Naturellement et de façon pertinente, le sport ne figure pas bien haut sur l’échelle des priorités et nous avons vu plusieurs ligues et circuits sportifs suspendre leurs activités pendant cette crise, sans impression claire quant au moment où elles reprendront leur cours normal. 

Le Comité olympique canadien (COC) met l’accent sur ce qui se trace devant nous et nous prenons toutes les mesures pour aplanir la courbe du taux d’infection. Nous continuerons de déployer tous les efforts pour protéger la santé de chacun et nous travaillerons à contenir la propagation du virus. Chacun de nous joue un rôle essentiel pour amenuiser la propagation et la transmission du virus, notamment par le respect des recommandations de Santé Canada et de l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS). La COVID-19 est une situation en constante évolution et représente une menace à laquelle un grand nombre de pays doivent s’adapter. Personne ne peut savoir ce à quoi les prochains jours, les prochaines semaines et les prochains mois ressembleront. Soyez assurés que nous contribuerons à cet effort collectif.

La préparation et la planification pour Tokyo 2020 ont été pensées de façon à protéger la santé de tous, puis à ralentir la progression du virus. Cela comprend la directive exigeant que tout notre personnel travaille de la maison, que toutes nos rencontres se fassent dans l’espace virtuel plutôt qu’en face à face et nous avons suspendu tous les déplacements non essentiels liés au travail. 

Le CIO et le mouvement sportif ont mis en place des mesures semblables. Les rencontres de qualification olympique ont été annulées. Pas moins de 43 % des places olympiques n’ont pas encore été octroyées et le CIO a établi un processus accéléré visant à définir de nouvelles procédures afin que les athlètes puissent se préparer. Le groupe de travail du CIO composé de représentants de l’OMS, du comité d’organisation de Tokyo 2020, des autorités japonaises et du gouvernement de la région de Tokyo continue de suivre la situation au quotidien et sans relâche. Chaque aspect des préparatifs est analysé et adapté. Cela comprend tous les éléments, de l’allumage de la flamme olympique, à la chaîne d’approvisionnement dans les préparatifs pour les Jeux et aux rencontres virtuelles de coordination des Jeux; tout cela pour assurer la protection des gens et le ralentissement du virus.

La communauté olympique comprend les défis que cela entraîne pour les athlètes, qu’il s’agisse de compétitions qui sont suspendues et de l’incapacité pour les athlètes de s’entraîner. L’anxiété que ressentent les athlètes à propos de la pandémie s’apparente à celle qu’expérimente le monde entier et bien que cela comprenne un espoir de participer aux Jeux olympiques, il est clair que l’espoir est d’abord et avant tout de contenir ce virus.   

Nous ne savons pas ce qui se produira dans les 24 prochaines heures et encore moins dans les quatre prochains mois, ce pour quoi nous n’avons pas besoin aujourd’hui de prendre de décision définitive à propos de tout changement aux plans sur la tenue des Jeux olympiques. Alors que nous progressons vers le 24 juillet, nous allons prendre notre décision sur la base de renseignements présentés par le CIO, l’OMS et nos experts de la santé. La santé et la sécurité de la communauté mondiale, et bien sûr celles nos athlètes seront toujours primordiales. 

Nous, la communauté sportive et le monde entier sommes ensemble dans cette situation. Imaginez quelles célébrations les Jeux olympiques pourraient être pour le monde, un véritable symbole de ce que nous pouvons réaliser quand nous travaillons ensemble et que nous prenons soin les uns des autres.

Nous sommes Équipe Canada.

Cordialement / Salutations sportives,

Tricia Smith, présidente du COC
David Shoemaker, chef de la direction et secrétaire général du COC
Marnie McBean, chef de mission d’Équipe Canada aux Jeux de Tokyo 2020
Seyi Smith, président de la Commission des athlètes du COC
Rosie MacLennan, vice-présidente de la Commission des athlètes du COC

Whoa: This got real. Fast. – March 16, 2020

Posted in Mentor Messages

Last week, when all professional sports leagues suspended their seasons, travel advisories were announced and pretty much every international event was put on hold, COVID-19 went from something that was happening on the news to something more personal.

This pandemic is disrupting more than just your preparation and competitions, it’s challenging and changing… everything.  It’s very likely that your training has been disrupted. Perhaps you were outside of Canada and you’ve listened to Federal Government’s advice to return, possibly separating you from teammates and coaches. Many “right” decisions feel counter to our personal goals right now, but they are in the best interest of all.

At this time, it’s expected that these measures will affect our daily lives into April and May.  It’s easy to wonder how this could possibly be resolved by mid-July. There is no playbook, there is no precedent. For sure – I’m concerned; sometimes scared, but also, sometimes I’m okay. Allow yourself to be optimistic.

In conversation with Dr. Karen MacNeill, our Lead Mental Health Counsellor for the Tokyo 2020 Team we discussed the need to take care of our mental health as much as our physical health. I really appreciated her thoughts and I’d like to share them with you.

How we protect our physical health is being communicated to us repeatedly; wash your hands, keep your social distancing and avoid unnecessary contact with immunocompromised individuals.

But what about our mental health?

FOCUS ON FACTS.  An anxious brain will create a false narrative. Try to reduce your exposure to speculation and hyperbole that can be fed to us on social media sources. Focus on what we know, not what we don’t.

FOCUS ON TODAY.  Be careful with “What-If?”.  There is no crystal ball to tell us when the worst of this will be upon us, and so we can’t know when it will be getting better and… as we are desperate to know – when we will get back to normal? Be mindful; avoid too many what-if’s that you can’t support with a positive outcome. Challenge yourself to stay present and boost your mindfulness practice to minimize ‘what-if’ orientation and maximize mental fitness training by simply focusing on the breath.

​BE COMPASSIONATE. Stay community focused. I can’t count the number of times I’ve said to schools and groups I’ve spoken to that being an Olympic athlete is a privilege and a passion. Let’s live our role-model messaging; today’s issues are way bigger than sport. The discomfort of having to give up on our “Plan-A” to the podium, or having to wait for IF’s and NSO’s to communicate what new qualifying paths are going to be is nothing in contrast to the discomfort that people are feeling.  

BE READY TO RISE. As you can, stay focused on getting stronger, faster and better than you were yesterday. At some point, normalcy will begin to return and sport will start again.  Plan to be the one, the team, that takes advantage of this situation. Be ready to rise.

It’s normal to have emotions that are all over the board. The unpredictable nature of the spread of this virus can leave us feeling out of control. These are stressful times. How we feel and how we manage this will be different.  Stress is good, it leads us to good decision making and will help us make safe choices. But when stress starts to overwhelm us, we begin to overestimate the threat and underestimate our ability to cope. If you find yourself in this situation, please talk with someone.

If you feel you are experiencing anxiety, please talk to someone.

If you haven’t registered to receive the Athlete365, notices from the IOC to Olympic athletes, you can here.

Take care, ​​
Marnie

Marnie McBean OC OLY
Chef de Mission Team Canada Tokyo 2020

Woah! La réalité nous rattrape rapidement. – 16 mars 2020

La semaine dernière, quand toutes les ligues professionnelles de sport ont suspendu leurs activités, des avertissements aux voyageurs ont été annoncés et presque tous les événements internationaux ont été mis en veilleuse, la COVID-19 est passée d’un phénomène qui faisait partie de l’actualité à quelque chose de plus personnel.

Cette pandémie perturbe plus que votre préparation et vos compétitions, elle représente un défi et change… tout. Il est très probable que votre entraînement ait été perturbé. Peut-être étiez-vous à l’extérieur du Canada et avez-vous écouté le conseil du gouvernement fédéral de rentrer au pays, ce qui vous a peut-être séparé de vos coéquipiers et entraîneurs. De nombreuses « bonnes » décisions semblent contraires à nos objectifs personnels en ce moment, mais elles sont dans l’intérêt supérieur de tous.

Pour le moment, il semble que ces mesures affecteront notre vie quotidienne jusqu’en avril et mai. Il est facile de se demander comment cette situation pourrait être résolue d’ici la mi-juillet. Il n’y a pas de manuel d’instructions, il n’y a pas de précédent. Bien sûr – je suis inquiète; parfois j’ai peur, mais aussi, parfois ça va. Permettez-vous d’être optimiste.

Au cours d’une conversation avec Dre Karen MacNeill, notre conseillère principale en santé mentale pour l’équipe de Tokyo 2020, nous avons discuté de la nécessité de prendre soin de notre santé mentale autant que de notre santé physique. J’ai vraiment apprécié ses réflexions et j’aimerais les partager avec vous.

 La façon de protéger notre santé physique nous est communiquée sans arrêt; lavez-vous les mains, pratiquez la distanciation sociale et évitez tout contact inutile avec des personnes immunodéprimées. 

Mais qu’en est-il de notre santé mentale?

CONCENTREZ-VOUS SUR LES FAITS. Un cerveau anxieux produira un message trompeur. Essayez de réduire votre exposition à la spéculation et à l’hyperbole qui peuvent nous être transmises par le biais des réseaux sociaux. Concentrez-vous sur ce que nous savons, pas sur ce que nous ne savons pas.

CONCENTREZ-VOUS SUR AUJOURD’HUI. Faites attention aux hypothèses. Il n’y a pas de boule de cristal pour nous dire quand la situation sera à son pire, donc nous ne pouvons pas savoir quand les choses iront mieux et … comme nous voulons désespérément le savoir – quand la situation reviendra-t-elle à la normale? Faites attention; évitez trop d’hypothèses que vous ne pouvez pas soutenir avec un résultat positif. Mettez-vous au défi de rester présent(e) et stimulez votre pratique de la pleine conscience afin de minimiser l’effet des hypothèses et de maximiser la préparation mentale en vous concentrant simplement sur la respiration.

SOYEZ COMPATISSANT(E). Restez concentré(e) sur la communauté. Je ne peux pas compter le nombre de fois où j’ai dit aux écoles et aux groupes auxquels j’ai parlé que le fait d’être un(e) athlète olympique est un privilège et une passion. Mettons en pratique le message que nous transmettons en tant que modèle; les enjeux d’aujourd’hui sont bien plus importants que le sport. L’inconvénient de devoir abandonner notre « Plan A » vers le podium ou d’attendre que les FI et les ONS communiquent ce que seront les nouveaux systèmes de qualification n’est rien comparativement aux inconvénients que vivent la population.

SOYEZ PRÊT(E) À BRILLER. Dans la mesure du possible, restez concentré(e) sur le fait de devenir plus fort(e), plus rapide et meilleur(e) que vous ne l’étiez hier. À un certain point, les choses commenceront à revenir à la normale et les activités sportives reprendront. Prévoyez d’être la personne et/ou l’équipe, qui profitera de cette situation. Soyez prêt(e) à briller.

C’est normal de passer par toute la gamme des émotions. La nature imprévisible de la propagation de ce virus peut nous faire sentir que nous n’avons aucun contrôle sur la situation. Il s’agit d’une période stressante. La façon de ressentir et de gérer la situation est différente d’une personne à l’autre. Le stress est une bonne chose, il nous aide à prendre de bonnes décisions et nous aidera à faire des choix sécuritaires. Cependant, quand le stress commence à prendre le dessus, nous commençons à surestimer la menace et à sous-estimer notre capacité à y faire face. Si vous vous trouvez dans cette situation, veuillez en parler à quelqu’un.

Si vous ressentez de l’anxiété, veuillez en parler à quelqu’un.

Si vous ne vous êtes pas inscrit(e) pour recevoir les avis Athlete365 du CIO aux athlètes olympiques, vous pouvez le faire ici.

Prenez soin de vous,​
Marnie
 

Change, challenge & a quick word on COVID-19

Posted in Mentor Messages

Canada’s Marnie McBean and Kathleen Heddle, post race., 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games. Tragically, a bomb had gone off the night before creating uncertainty if the Games would continue or not . (CP PHOTO/COA/Mike Ridewood)

Everyone seems to be talking about the COVID-19 and increasingly your Olympics are being pulled into the conversation.  As your Chef de Mission, I want you to know that our priority is the health and safety of every Team Canada member. Stay focused on your preparation, the Tokyo 2020 Games are still very much on. As we all do with all the unplanned events that happen between now and the Games – we will assess and respond accordingly. Talk to your coaches and team leaders; be informed, and try not to let all the speculation distract you. The night before my Olympic final in Atlanta, a bomb went off tragically killing and injuring people. I woke not knowing if there would be delays or cancellations to my race; we didn’t know until we got to our venue what was going to happen. I’m glad we chose to stay focused and arrive ready; it was a gold medal day. The current situation is more drawn out which allows for more uncertainty and speculation. The COC is working with the IOC and our own medical team on this quickly evolving situation to protect your health and performance. We are all in this together and will do our best to keep you informed. 

There are less than 150 days until the Olympics. (How did that happen?!)

What’s your goal? When you are at the Closing Ceremony – how do you want to feel?

At the Sochi Olympics I had separate but similar conversations with two different athletes from completely different sports. A few days before their competitions, both athletes remarked that after everything they had done and everything they had been through – they just wanted to come off their field-of-play happy. (Both of these athletes were medalists from Vancouver, and… spoiler alert– both would win medals again in Sochi.)

Without question a gold medal was their target, but as veterans, they knew another goal had to be to “finish happy”. In competition – all you can control is you; we hope that our performance is the best out there. But you can’t control your competitors, the conditions or the judges… winning is uncontrollable. At the end of the day, regardless of the result – you want to know you did EVERYTHING that you could do to reach your goal. No matter what happens – at least part of you should be happy with knowing you did that.

So, separately over a coffee before their competitions began, we strategized about how to make “happy” happen. How do we finish happy and why is it important? Sure, winning alone can make you happy (and/or relieved) – but you can’t walk onto your field-of-play feeling that something isn’t right and expect sport to magically make you happy. That’s your job. That’s on you to control. Odds are high that if you weren’t happy starting the competition it’s because you know something has been left undone. So… if the goal is to come off the field-of play happy– these veterans knew that it was important to go onto the field-of-play happy. They also agreed it’s easier to win that way!  

How?

1.     Be aware of your Done List.

Your ambition requires that you focus on your to-do list constantly. But what happens to all those checked-off tasks. They aren’t garbage. They are your tools, your weapons, your experience. Your checked-off tasks represent your “Done List” and this enormous pile is where confidence and stress management come from. (Yours, your teammates’, your coach’s, etc). Never forget about it, it’s massive and you earned it.

2.     Start (and listen to) hard conversations.

With your teammates, with your coaches and with your family. Don’t wait. Is there something you want to say? Something you need to ask? Be respectful and kind, but do it. Don’t assume people know what you are thinking, want or need.  And – when you are having a hard conversation – be ready to hear feedback, sometimes critical feedback, that makes you uncomfortable. Most feedback isn’t designed to be a personal attack. Almost always, it’s delivered in an effort to improve a relationship, technique or a system. Be open. Listen. Consider. Apply as you can.

3.     Use change and challenge as a weapon.

Accepting change and challenge is what average performers do. Anticipating it and using it to your advantage is at the core of high performance. Someone always wins on a bad day… why not you? In training or in competition, whatever chaos comes; however the plan changes; be agile. Be the one, be the team, that is thrown-off the least because you’ve got a strategy.

4.     Be the somebody you are waiting for. 

Things need to get done; somebody will do it. Things need to get said; somebody will say it. Somebody is going to raise the bar. Somebody is going to step up and win. Somebody is about to become a champion. Why not you? Every day be that somebody.

The athletes I was talking to in Sochi had been doing all of these things. But it turns out both of them had one element hanging over their respective heads. One had to revisit a hard conversation before starting and the other found a moment mid-competition when remembering their Done List that allowed them to stay focused and push past a challenging result. 

145 days to the Opening Ceremony means 162 days until the Closing Ceremony. (I have to say, I believe that’s a more important count down!) From now until then, make it a habit to get to the end of each day happy. Don’t let yourself get to the Closing Ceremony with thoughts like, “if only I had done X, I think things could have gone differently”. 

You’ve got this. You are going to learn more, try more and do more. You are going to start the Olympic Games happy and you are going to be somebody who finishes the Olympic Games happy! 

Marnie

C-A

Can I? Will I?” And Your Three Choices

Posted in Mentor Messages

The path to achieving your goals will challenge you many, many times. These challenging moments are what stress you, and they are also what makes what you are doing so very, very exciting. I’ve come to believe that stress is the spice of life; don’t wish it away! Stress occurs for goals that you care about; completion of a task, the quality of your result or external feedback (technical), responses from others (emotional), etc. If you care, there is stress. If you don’t, there isn’t. I have no doubt that you care about your Olympic goals – a lot!

Challenges occur all the time, not just in competition. Some are routine like, “Will I be on time for practice?”, and some are intense, like “Will I give 100% of what I’ve got today?” or “Can I dig-down right now or will I ‘mail it in’?”  Not all of your challenges will be physical, some will come when someone asks something like – Can you help? Can you change? Can you try?

I call these challenging moments “Can I? Will I?” moments. They can force us to question our accountability, our commitment, and even our goals. Our reaction to each challenging moment is to ask ourselves,: “Can I do this?” And then, more importantly: “Will I do this?”

Sometimes our – ‘yes!’  answers come so easily that the moment flies by almost unnoticed… but not always.

I believe that each time we ask ourselves ‘Can I? Will I?’, we have three choices: 

1)   Quit. Give up on your goal completely or re-write it. Wanting to win becomes wanting to medal. Wanting to medal becomes wanting to do well. Wanting to do well becomes being happy with a Trip-and-Tracksuit.

When you quit, you become cracked. For sure we all have a few cracks in us, but we don’t like the way it felt and know to avoid quitting again in the future. Quit too many times and you will be broken. You will know you are broken and those around you will know you are broken.

Quitting is always an option in ‘Can I? Will I?’ moments but you rarely (if ever) choose it anymore.

 2)   Fly under the radar. Do no more but do no less. Waiting for the finish to come to you… you take your hands “off the wheel” and give up control of that moment and your progress. At the end of these days, we can’t help but wonder: “What if, in that moment, I tried something more?” Going under the radar is always a choice but would clearly be a terrible takeaway from an Olympic ‘Can I? Will I?’ moment.   

3)   Attack. When challenge confronts you with a ‘Can I? Will I?’ moment you can push into it, and attack towards your finish line. Have faith in your preparation, have confidence in your “done-list” and believe in ‘Yes I can. Yes, I will’. Even if it’s an uncertain yes – it’s a yes! There is always a little bit more that you can do, try, learn… GO FOR IT!

Let’s Go Canada!! C-A