I'm not a big figure skating guy, I hate how its the "premier sport" at the winter games and how some of the skaters seem larger than life. In 2002 though we had this amazing young couple, and like every other sport it sucked me in, for we were definite medal contenders in the pairs competition. The Russian pair of Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze were the favourites and were ahead after the first skate, but when they slipped up slightly on the last skate, there was a window for the Canadians to take home the gold. They were perfect...but since the mob was involved, certain judges were paid off to put the Russians first and the Canadian pair was cheated of their gold. While Jamie sobbed on the podium I along with the rest of the people in the room were shocked and as the filthy details came out the pair received support from not only Canada, but from media outlets around the world. Eventually the two pairs stood side by side about a week later when the IOC decided to award a second and most-deservedly gold to the Canadians. Its interesting to note that if the Russians didn't slip up they probably would have won gold and nobody would question any of the judges motives, so thankfully Sale and Pelletier were flawless.
4: Daniel Igali winning gold in 2000 - 69kg freestyle wrestling
One of the best things in cheering for Canada is that when they win its usually like they are the underdog, and who doesn't like cheering for the underdog, especially when they end up winning. Anyways, I had never heard of Daniel Igali, but the CBC was showing his matches one by one as the quarters, semis and finals were all in the same day. In the semis Igali went up against a superior opponent from the States named Lincoln McIlravy, and once again the underdog came through. Igali went on to Arsen Gitinov from Russia in the finals and everyone in Canada fell in love with this man who moved here from Nigeria as a boy once he placed the flag at the centre of the ring and did circle around it in celebration.
5: Jody Holden and Conrad Leinemann winning a preliminary round match in 2000 - Beach Volleyball
This was kind of what epitomized how much I love the Olympics. It was just some random early match between two teams that weren't going to win a medal, but what made it extra special was that it was against a team from the States. If I remember correctly the Canadians were down 14 to 6 and were one point away from being eliminated in the first round. I remember thinking, its going to be tough but our guys can do it, and slowly but surely Holden and Leinemann came back to tie and eventually win the match 17-15. It was so much fun to just see them come back, especially against the Americans and I remember getting so into the match since if we lost one more point, we would be eliminated.
6: Jennifer Heil winning gold in 2006 - Moguls
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