My thoughts as I recall at 11 years old:
Actually, even at 5 I remember on 2&7 they had a Commuity Calender, and in the top corner a number, which was a countdown to the 1988 Olympic host city announcement. The memories are fuzzy, but I recall the jumping celebration by Klein in I think Baden Baden Wset Germany when Calgary got the games.
Got a game used stick from some Canadian (can't recall the name, only a cup of coffee in the NHL) in the leadup Christmas time (1987) tournament of Canada vs Dynamo.
The leadup: Lake Bonavista billeted a bunch of Swiss athletes, so we had all sorts of Olympic stuff in playing hockey.
Annoyed that the public school kids had the entire Olympics off, the Catholic school kids didn't, but were allowed to be absent for going to events.
Robyn Perry went to the school I did, a year ahead. Out of nowhere really.
As for the games, saw two games, Sweden/Finland and the US vs someone. Still have those originla tickets that my dad won in the lottery.
Went to a couple bobsled events, but they were delayed thanks to the tropical conditions.
Team Canada with NHLer's on loan, vividly recall Andy Moog with the full itech clear visor of all things...first and last time that was ever seen or done in hockey.
Went down to Olympic Plaza a couple nights for all the fireworks after the medal presentations.
Pin trading. The full set that Shell had. Coke had a bunch of pins. The ABC pin, a bunch of Russian ones and all sorts of others...have them still somewhere at my parents house.
My dad got my brother and I one of Olympic Coins, I got the hockey
http://cgi.ebay.com/1988-SILVER-PROO...ayphotohosting
I remember the closing ceremonies, and the crowd doing the wave with those candle lit, mini olympic torches.
After the Games, there was a sale of the 2 week used, or brand new extra Olympic gear. We picked up a small TV that worked up until a couple years ago, complete with a little olmypic logo badge on the front. My dad picked up a green Olympic Blazer, not worn, but oversupply, to be used by judges and the like.
Also, an extr aolympic ceremonies ponco, complete with the instruction card, mentioning to wear the poncho to make the design for the world to see.
Didn't get the Olympic Glasses from PetroCan at the time, but have since picked up a bunch of them, they came in all sizes, with the gold olmpic torch emblem and the rings.
Really a special time, glad I was at least old enough to enjoy it, if not likely not quite old enough to fully appreciate the honor of hosting a Games in my hometown.
It changed the city forever, thanks to the upgraded facilities, both venue wise such as the Dome, and the upgrades at the U of C, and the venues like the Oval (and high perfromance lab at the U of C) can directly be attributed to the sucess Canada has in 2010.
At the time, the best run, most profitable games ever. And the legacy has laid the groundwork 20 years later.
Now, at 31, I'm likely going to submit an application to volunteer for 2010 on the 20th anniversary tomorrow. Unlikely again in my lifetimes, at least one where I am young enough, will the Olympic Games be 1h away or closer. We'll see when push comes to shove, but I think in the right situation and right position there, it would be a once in a life time opportunity to contribute.
I wish I could've been more involved in 1988, just not old enough and I wasn't a Young Canadian. My uncle volunteered in 1988 as a driver for diginarties and media and high level athletes, and had a blast, and some great stories and memories of his week.
Calgary proudly showed the world that this city was world class, and that Canada could put on well organized, profitable, proper party. Unforgettable.
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