Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Olympic Wrap Up

It is hard to believe that the Olympics are over! Most of us family and friends headed home a week ago Sunday, 2/28. Our men’s curling team came home on 3/1 so that they could participate in the Closing Ceremonies. After a year of preparation and planning, the two weeks of the Olympics flew by.

While the competitive results were not what we had hoped for, we are proud of our guys and how they represented the U.S. Not many athletes have the opportunity to represent their country in the Olympic Games. We are grateful and proud that our family members had such an opportunity.

As you can imagine, there has been a roller coaster of emotions throughout the two weeks at the Games and even upon our return home. The high of being at the Olympics, the low of watching our guys lose in such close games, the joy of seeing them win, the excitement to share with family and friends…it was all there. Upon returning home, we are grateful for the support of the curling community and fans, and encouraged by the growth in popularity of the game we love.

We have all been enriched by this experience. We’ve gained new friends, grown to appreciate even more our families and friends, and have a deeper understanding of what the Olympics are all about. Meeting athletes and families from different sports and countries was an unexpected gift. To share in their Olympic experience was incredible!

Thank you to the city of Vancouver, the Olympic Committee, the thousands of volunteers, and the people on the trains, buses, and street corners who were so hospitable and welcoming. We were overwhelmed by your kindness and support of the Games, the athletes, and families.

A special thank you to Proctor and Gamble for sponsoring the Family Home and the Thanks Mom Program. None of us could have anticipated what a special gift the P & G Home was and what an important part it would play in our time in Vancouver. It was truly amazing. Please support P & G product lines as they supported our U.S. Olympic athletes. Next time you shop, look for these brands: Tide, Safeguard, Pampers, Ariel, Always, Tampax, Whisper, Pantene, Mach3, Bounty, Dawn, Gain, Pringles, Charmin, Downy, Cascade, lams, Crest, Oral-B, Actonel, Duracell, Olay, Head & Shoulders, Wella, Gillette, Braun, and Fusion or the P & G distribution label.

And finally, thank you all for your support this year and throughout our time at the Olympics, it truly was the experience of a lifetime! Glad you came along with us!

Carrie Benton