What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?
Let’s talk about Olympic sports, shall we? Now, I’m a sucker for hockey—yes, I know, how very Canadian of me. But before you roll your eyes at the obvious cliché, let me assure you, my reasons are multi-layered.
One of my fond memories doesn’t even originate from the Olympics but rather from the summer games. Picture me as a young girl, volunteering for first aid coverage every chance I got. In my hometown, St. John’s Ambulance offered training weekly for underage volunteers and biweekly for adults, in exchange for a commitment to volunteer hours. Concerts, hockey games, you name it—I was there. I can’t recall the minimum hours required, as I was always eager to jump in whenever possible.
Once, I had the unique opportunity to assist one of the athletes in the summer games. They needed an extra pair of hands, and lucky me, I was available. It was quite the experience, chatting with someone who dedicates so much focus to a specific sport. That encounter left a lasting impression on me.
Fast forward to winter—I got to volunteer at an NHL hockey game. Now, this was prior to when they installed those protective nets, so we had some interesting situations to handle. One particular incident involved a youth with a vitamin K deficiency, which affects blood clotting. He took a hockey puck to the nose, and it was my turn to be stationed at the first aid post instead of out on the floor. I got to assist with the emergency care.
Working with the EMTs, who rotated periodically, we devised a plan to control the bleeding while waiting for the ambulance. We couldn’t pinch the nose since it was broken, so we tried gauze rolled up with hemostatic agents from the EMT’s kit—a clotting agent—applied to the nose. We also placed a cold pack on the back of the neck to slow blood flow, making it easier for the body to clot. This was also my first lesson in using a blood pressure machine and reading a heart rate monitor. I learned to read the vital monitor, the heart rate, and do the blood pressure. Not hard to do, but as a kid, you feel pretty special given some of this was not typical first-aid knowledge. Ever the curious one, I peppered the EMTs with questions, absorbing every bit of knowledge. Little did I know, this experience would lead me to discover my calling of being a healer.
I also grew up watching my grandfather playing hockey with the local seniors organized team. He still plays to this day and he is in his 80s. When we would watch it when I was younger before I paid attention to the game it was a chance for him to sneak me treats. He is one of the most amazing men I know and have had the pleasure of knowing. For me, with having such a dark past, and so many issues now medically, it can be hard to find an area where memories are untouched by this darkness—hockey is one of them.
These experiences with hockey game sparked my interest in watching the sport. So, when the Winter Olympics came around, I naturally had to tune in. I can still feel the pride when the men’s and women’s Canadian hockey teams clinched the gold. Even now, I get a bit grumpy when they don’t bring home the gold. What can I say? Canada played a pivotal role in shaping modern ice hockey, both in the NHL and the Olympics.
The first organized indoor game of ice hockey was played in Montreal in 1875, and the rules that emerged from Canada heavily influenced the sport as we know it today. The NHL itself was founded in Montreal in 1917, cementing Canada’s central role in professional hockey. On the Olympic side, ice hockey made its debut at the 1920 Summer Olympics before becoming a staple of the Winter Games in 1924. Canada dominated the early Olympic tournaments, winning six of the first seven gold medals, which helped establish the country’s reputation as the birthplace of modern ice hockey.
Thinking back, hockey has always been a big part of my life. From volunteering at local games to watching my grandfather play, it’s been a source of joy and connection. When the Winter Olympics roll around, I can’t help but get excited about the hockey matches. Seeing Canada compete and often win gold is a proud moment for me.
So, when it comes to Olympic sports, hockey is definitely my favorite. It’s not just about the game; it’s about the memories and the pride it brings. There aren’t really any other Olympic sports I follow regularly besides to check stats quickly online. What about you?
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