It matters that you join your neighbours, your community and your country in celebration of
Queen Victoria on her birthday. After all, she’s the woman who started Canada on its road to independence, giving four British provinces to North America … giving the first stich in our Canadian flag.

Jesse Lumsden

“There’s only one reason that we do what we do,” said world silver medallist and 2010 Olympic bobsledder Jesse Lumsden. “To see the Maple Leaf rise above all the other flags, to hear the national anthem. It’s the ultimate reward in amateur sport. You can’t explain that feeling, but the emotion gets you every time. It doesn’t change. I feel like I’ve been lifted up by Canada.”

Lifted, indeed.

The Maple Leaf is stamped in every Canadian passport. It’s what Canadians root for, it’s what athletes tattoo on their flesh, it’s the emblam that lifts this nation to moments of greatness.

Christine Nesbitt

“My mom sent me three Maple Leaves in the mail this fall,” said three-time world champion and Olympic champion Christine Nesbitt just before the May long weekend. “It’s such a special thing to feel connected to this country — this amazingly diverse country.”

Nesbitt’s peer on ice and fellow member of the multiple-time world champion club Patrick Chan knows this feeling intimately and wears it on his sleeve with ultimate pride.

“I’m a first generation Chinese Canadian,” said Chan. “My parents came to this country for a better life, for better opportunities for myself, for their son … That’s why I wear the Maple Leaf proudly every single day. I’m so proud to see the flag rise and to hear the anthem. It’s a moment of sheer pride and honour just to be an ambassador of the country all over the world.”

When you celebrate this weekend, remember too those incredible Olympic moments you celebrated with the athletes and coaches.

It’s the Maple Leaf that made those moments possible.

Patrick Chan

Rowan Barrett, Canada Basketball’s Assistant GM and Executive VP of the Senior Men’s Program had this reaction: “I think it was pretty hard for him to loose with the choices that he had. In Kansas, he went with a coach…who has a tremendous track record of putting players in the position they need to be in offensively.”

Eighteen-year-old Thornhill, ON, native Andrew Wiggins (@22wiggins) has been tagged as the number one NCAA basketball prospect by everyone from ESPN to Rivals.com, and by many as a future NBA superstar.

Tomorrow, he will officially begin his journey by accepting an NCAA Division 1 scholarship to either Florida State (@Seminoles_com), Kansas (@KUathletics), Kentucky (@KentuckyMBB) or North Caronlina (@UNC_Basketball).

Wiggins also represents tremendous opportunity for Canada Basketball (@canbball) heading into the 2016 Rio Games and beyond – especially considering his Olympic bloodlines: his mother, Marita Payne-Wiggins, is a double silver medallist who competed in track and field for Canada in 1984 and 1988.

Regardless of his collegiate destination, we look forward to seeing more of Wiggins wearing the maple leaf on the global stage.

The Wiggins ‘Final Four’:

Florida State 

The Wiggins family has deep roots with Florida State. Both his mother and father, Mitchell, attended the university. Mother Marita was

Marita Payne-Wiggins (front) competes at the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles. Photo: Canadian Olympic Committee

the NCAA 400 meter champion in 1982 and 1984, and Mitchell – a former Canadian national team member as well – competed and was a star for two seasons for the FSU basketball team before turning pro. Playing for the Seminols would give Wiggins the opportunity to be the central figure of the team and test himself against bigger programs.

Kentucky  

The University of Kentucky already has the #1 recruiting class of 2013 (according to ESPN), thanks to several five-star recruits committing to the team for the fall. Aside from defending NCAA champions Louisville, Kentucky is also the current preseason favourite to win the 2014 title thanks to their new crop of talent and the many returning athletes from last year’s squad. This choice would allow Wiggins to be pushed to his limits against the best competition in practice every day. A big selling point is also coach John Callipari – a man with a reputation for turning athletes into pros after just one year of college play.

North Carolina 

Be like Mike? That’s the question for Wiggins as he has the opportunity to sign with Michael Jordan’s storied North Carolina Tar Heels. History has its appeal, as does the school’s schedule of high-level opponents to test Wiggins. NC is expected to be competitive next year and could make a deep run into March Madness with Wiggins as their leader, plus head coach Roy Williams has two NCAA titles under his belt (2005 and 2009).

Kansas

Want to talk about deep Canadian roots at a school? The first basketball coach at the University of Kansas was James Naismith – literally, basketball’s inventor. The team is coming off an appearance in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament and is poised to do well again. Head coach Bill Self is a great motivator who knows how to win. Wiggins would turn into the focal point of the offence and would likely take on the scoring duties of the NBA-bound Ben McLemore.

Wiggins is expected to make his announcement by 12:15 p.m. EST.

- George Fadel

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Related Tweets

Tomorrow will be a huge day for @22wiggins. All the best in making your big decision. ow.ly/kYjEH

— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) May 13, 2013

Arguably the best prep prospect since LeBron James, Andrew Wiggins will decide on Tuesday between four schools: on.si.com/125ZqQk

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 13, 2013

Leonard Hamilton Roy Williams-John Calipari-Bill Self will be nervous Tuesday when a call comes from Andrew Wigginsespn.go.com/mens-college-b…

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 13, 2013

Cool “@adamzagoria: Meet the Man Who Will Break the Andrew Wiggins Story zagsblog.com/articles/meet-… @granttraylor @rfulford @thebiglead”

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) May 13, 2013

Playing for the Portland Thorns, Sinclair scored twice and was featured in all 270 minutes played in the league’s opening month of regular season action. Thorns FC posted a perfect record of 3W-0D-0L in April.

Canadians can catch Sinclair and the rest of the national team in action on June 2^nd when they face the USA in Toronto in a rematch of last year’s Olympic semifinal.

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“Her love of sport and her lifestyle ignited my passion,” said Jessica. “I learned to love skating through her. You work hard, but you do it because you love it.”

Kathy played several roles when her kids were growing up. Mother, wife, chef, trainer and role model were just a few. But as one-time Olympic speed skater herself, the biggest impact in her children’s sporting life may have been when she became their coach.

For Jamie, 28, and Jessica, 25, their journeys to Vancouver 2010 would start under their mom’s watchful eye at the Edmonton Speed Skating Club.

The entire Gregg family poses with the Stanley Cup with father Randy. / Photo courtesy of Gregg family.

Their father Randy, a two-Olympian and NHL hockey player, was on the road a lot travelling with the Oilers during the early parts of their lives. Kathy would naturally have a lot influence on her kids as they were growing up.

Both parents represented Canada decades before them and had passed on many great memories of their Olympic experience.

“It was instilled in us as kids that representing your country is the highest honour,” said Jamie. “The Olympics growing up was the best you could do and the highest achievement. That was my dream as a kid to represent Canada there.”

The parents let their children dabble in many sports before focusing on one. However, the future Olympians would get their start in speed skating at the ages of six (Jamie) and five (Jessica) respectively.

“We had a very normal childhood for kids with two Olympians as parents,” said Jamie. “I think other kids had more demanding parents growing up than I did. With them being involved before, I think it gave them a better perspective about the pressure that can be put on children. They let us do our own thing and succeed.”

Kathy would have the right mixture of seriousness and playfulness as a coach to keep the kids interested. She would invite all their friends to train with them, figuring having friends around would push them to go to practise more.

“(My mom is) really good technically and sees things that I was doing wrong,” said Jamie. “Growing up she used to put in a lot of games to keep us into it. All the kids respond well to her. She makes sure people are enjoying themselves while passing on her knowledge.”

Humble and modest, Kathy never bragged about her experiences on the world stage. The topic only came up as a motivational tool for the kids.

“Growing up I knew she had been to the Olympics,” said Jessica. “But she never really brought it up unless it was to motivate us. She’s my mom and I wanted to be like her and my goal was to be at the Olympics. She knew what it would take and the dedication it required.”

Kathy’s proper balancing act of mom and coach helped them along the way.

“She’s never put pressure on me and is always there to support me,” said Jamie. “The fact that she has done this herself gives me confidence and listen to what she has to say. She knows what she’s talking about and I appreciate the advice she gives me.”

Both siblings added their mother is the reason as to why they have been so successful.

“I’d say thank you for making me who I am,” said Jamie, referencing his mom. “I couldn’t have achieved anything I’ve done without her.”

Early Building Blocks

An Olympic breeding program; you could blame the Edmonton based Gregg family for such a funny thought. After all, the parents have such impressive pedigrees.

(From left to right) Ryan, Jamie, Jessica and Sarah. / Photo courtesy of Gregg family.

Father Randy, a nine-season NHL pro and the winner of five Stanley Cups with the Oiler dynasty of the 90s, was part of the Olympic program and represented Canada at the 1980 Lake Placid Games and in Calgary in 1988.

In Lake Placid, Randy would meet his future wife – Kathy Voigt, a speed skater competing in her second consecutive Winter Games for Canada. Together the couple would eventually have four kids – sons Jamie and Ryan, followed by daughters Jessica and Sarah.

Ryan flourished in baseball – playing for the University of Calgary – while the other three siblings followed in their mother’s footsteps and excelled at speed skating. Jamie and Jessica made their Olympic debut in 2010 with Jessica winning the first medal for the Greggs –silver in the 3000m relay.

“We’ve both been high level athletes and we wanted our kids to be involved because we got so much out of it,” said Kathy. “But it never crossed our minds how good they’d be.”

Travelling the World

Now Kathy and Randy spend a lot of their time travelling as two of the most dedicated parents you’ll find on the speed skating tour. They consider themselves to be lucky enough to have the means to travel the world and continue to watch their kids skate.

Having a taste of home is sometimes the advantage Jamie and Jessica need during the big events in which they compete.

(From left to right) Kathy, Jamie and Jessica. / Photo courtesy of Gregg family.

“They come out and support almost all my races and travels around the world,” said Jamie. “It’s really great having my parents there. I love trying to find them in the crowd with their Canadian flag. It gives me a little sense of home and allows me to relax.”

The entire Gregg family did not have far to travel to see Jamie and Jessica walk into the Olympic Stadium in 2010. The parents were in the crowd and Kathy was especially excited to see them representing the family in a sport in which she had once excelled.

“As a skater I realized how close it is to making it and not making it,” said Kathy. “Whether they made it or not, you’re proud of how hard they’ve worked and all the sacrifices they’ve made.”

Most recently, Kathy and Randy travelled to Sochi for a World Cup test event to watch Jamie compete. They have already marked down when they will go when their children hopefully qualify for their second consecutive Olympic Game

If everything goes as planned, the family will have to book another flight to Sochi in February 2014 to see their kids compete at the Adler Arena and become two-time speed skating Olympians…just like their mom.

-          George Fadel

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“This is just a beautiful feeling being among this incredible team,” said the only Canadian to ever win medals in both the Winter and Summer Olympic Games. “I feel like we are Canada … and we are one.”

Sure, it was a magical moment in time — for Hughes and for Canada. Sure, she was leading some of the most incredible athletes Canada has ever produced. And yes, that moment changed the sport landscape in this country as we officially started our journey to a best-ever performance at a Games.

But often under observed is the amount of work it takes to create a multi-sport roster that shares an unbreakable bond — one only Olympic teammates have in common.

This is why every year before a Games, Canada’s top athletes will gather and prepare to become a genuine team at something called the Olympic Excellence Series. It’s is where they learn from champions. It’s where veterans share inspiration and rookies collect the rules of road.

With less than 10 months to go before the Sochi 2014 Games, the Canadian Olympic Committee will host its fourth edition of the Series for athletes, coaches and support staff aiming for podium success.

This year’s event will be held at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver, B.C. May 10 through May 12 in the very city where Hughes marched with her 2010 team.

“I’m so gifted as a human being to have had these experiences,” she said.

Without team unity, without events like the Olympic Excellence series, these experiences could not happen … for Hughes, for every athlete or for Canada.

To get an inside glimpse of the athletes this weekend, follow along on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

After a disappointing showing at the 2012 London Games, the native of Whitby, ON, and -70kg judoka has soared to the number one ranking in the world. In her Olympic debut, Zupancic would lose her first match of the tournament to the eventual gold medallist from France Lucie Decosse – an experience that has shaped her into a true champion.

“I gave everything I possibly could in my fight and lost in the last 20 seconds,” said Zupancic, 23, about the Games.

Since then, Zupancic has rebounded and been on a tear reaching the podium in four of the six events she’s entered; winning three gold medals – including a Pan American Championship title in San Jose in April.

After starting the year ranked 15^th overall, Zupancic is now at the top of her -70kg division after winning the recent Grand Slam in Baku this past weekend.

“It’s really a cool feeling being in first, it’s incredible,” the judoka exclaimed. “I’ve been working so hard to get to this level, and now I’m going to try even harder to stay. I don’t feel any kind of pressure in particular, I’m just going to focus on the formula that got me here.”

After London, Zupancic took some time off to refocus and consider what went wrong during her performance. Photo: Judo Canada

New Beginnings 

After London, Zupancic took some time off to refocus and consider what went wrong during her performance. She would have more than four months after the Olympic Games to prep for her first major competition.

Using her memories of London for motivation, Zupancic closed out the 2012 calendar year finishing in fifth place at the Grand Slam Tokyo Jigoro Kano Cup before starting an incredible run in 2013.

The biggest change came after she realized she had not done enough to mentally prepare herself for London. Zupanic admitted that all competitors, including herself, show up in the best shape of their lives for the Olympic Games.

However, the difference in performance a lot of the time lies on those who put heavy emphasis on the non-physical aspects of their sport.

“I really focused on my mental game,” said Zupancic. “Finding my confidence and trusting myself was really important. I feel like I’ve put in my time and done all the work. I felt like it was my time to win.”

Training with a legend

Zupancic got her start in the sport as a five-year-old at the Formokan Judo Club in Oshawa, ON. She quickly excelled in the sport and won a Canadian U20 Championship in 2006 at the young age of 16.

A rising star at 18, Zupancic relocated to Montreal to take part in the national training centre program, where she is coached by idol and two-time Olympic medallist Nicolas Gill.

Gill’s legendary career is one from which Zupancic can learn. The native of Montreal went eight years between his bronze at Barcelona 1992 and silver at Sydney 2000. Like any athlete, Gill had his shares of ups and downs on the way to the most decorated Canadian judoka career.

Zupanic has looked to Gill for inspiration since she was a kid. She remembers her father waking her up in the middle of the night to watch Gill fight in the gold medal match at those Sydney Games.

“That was moment where I said that if a Canadian can make the finals in Judo, so can I,” said Zupancic. “He was my inspiration to pursue this Olympic dream and know it’s possible to be on the podum.”

Teachings of Japan

Zupancic got her start in the sport as a five-year-old at the Formokan Judo Club in Oshawa, ON. Photo: Judo Canada

Zupancic’s biggest lesson about rebounding may have come during a non-judo related incident, but one that would change the way she looks at life forever.

At the age of 19, she was sent to Japan for one month to train with the Komatsu Judo team and  moved there full-time in July 2010.

Her life would forever change in March of 2011 after the devastating tsunami earthquake of Japan struck during one of her training camps. Although not harmed, the traumatizing experience left Zupancic with a new outlook on her team and her time in Japan.

“I realized how much I bonded with my teammates even if we did not speak the same language,” said Zupancic. “I felt a lot of pressure from Canada to come home for my safety. I was thinking that if my teammates are here, that I shouldn’t leave. Supporting each other got us through it.”

Strong Family Ties

The members of the Zupancic family do let each other get hung up on the speed bumps in life.

Kelita comes from a family of judokas. Her father, Edward, is a fourth degree black belt and one of her first coaches. Her whole family has been involved in the sport, including mom Annette and Kelita’s three younger brothers.

All three of her brothers: Anton, 21, Ryan, 19, and Andrew, 18, excel at hockey and have been drafted into the Ontario Hockey League.

“My parents really instilled hard work in us and taught us to support each other,” said Kelita. “We’re really all doing what we love. Family support means everything to us.”

The entire Zupancic family will be supporting Kelita all the way toward Rio 2016. The star judoka has fully committed to training for her goal of an Olympic medal.

“I’ve put in my time,” said Zupancic. “I’m no longer that new up and comer. I’ve been to the Olympics and I feel like I know myself better. I’m a mature athlete and I’m aiming for the podium.”

- George Fadel

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@kelitazupancic — Congrats on a superb result over the weekend, my friend! Cheering for ya

— Darcy Marquardt (@Darcyrows) May 6, 2013

@kelitazupancic.Congratulations!Way to represent Canada so well!

— Catriona Le May Doan (@Catrionald) May 6, 2013

Congrats @kelitazupancic gold and #1 world rank @ Baku Grand Slam today! Another step towards @glasgow2014 fb.me/xcgVrQqd

— Commonwealth Canada (@cgc_jcc) May 5, 2013

Congrats! “@kelitazupancic: Won the gold medal at the Baku Grand Slam today! World ranking #1!”

— Karen Cockburn(@Karen_Cockburn) May 5, 2013

Félicitation à Kelita Zupancic qui est maintenant numéro 1 mondial!! // Congrats to Kelita Zupancic who is now ranked number 1 in the world!

— Antoine Valois-F (@antoine_vf) May 5, 2013

Travel costs can be expensive and hospitals can be dreary, but this is an opportunity for the patients to feel at ease and comfortable with their loved ones close by.

McDonald’s, a proud supporter of the Olympic movement, is celebrating their 20th anniversary of McHappy Day.  You can contribute as one dollar from every Big Mac, Happy Meal, and hot McCafé beverage you buy will be donated to Ronald McDonald Houses and other local children’s charities across Canada.

Quick Facts:

1981 – The year the first Ronald McDonald House Opened in Toronto.

14 – Ronald McDonald Houses now found across Canada.

10,000 – Families staying at the Houses across Canada.

2014 – The year that McDonald’s plans on doubling the number of families staying at  their Houses. It’s the support of people like you that make it possible!

A History of Smiles

Olympians and Paralympians at Ronald McDonald House and McDonald’s

Canadians Supporting this Great Cause on Twitter

We need your help! Support #McHappyDay May 8. $1 from Big Macs, Happy Meals, and hot McCafé beverages will be donated to @rmhc

— Patrick Chan (@Pchiddy) May 2, 2013

Thanks to all the families, restaurants, crew and everyone participating in #McHappy Day 2013.PHOTOS facebook.com/media/set/?set…

— RMH Toronto (@RMHToronto) May 8, 2013

We are lovin’ all this #McHappyDay support! Have you been to a McD’s yet today? ^JB

— McDonald’s Canada (@McD_Canada) May 8, 2013

At the game last night? Then be sure to support McHappy Day today with a small donation when you redeem your Big Mac Minute winning ticket!

— Ottawa Senators (@NHL_Sens) May 8, 2013

Today is #McHappyDay head to your local McD’s restaurant to support @rmhc and other children’s charities ^JB

— McDonald’s Canada (@McD_Canada) May 8, 2013

What could be better than eating a Big Mac for a good cause? Sign me up. #McHappy Day.

— Jim Lang (@JimLang590) May 8, 2013

Olympian @kelseytitmarsh enjoying a #McCafe beverage in support of #McHappyDay twitpic.com/cp4ai3 ^JB

— McDonald’s Canada (@McD_Canada) May 8, 2013

Pretty excited to be flipping burgers with @jasonburnett_ @johntoryshow tomorrow for McHappy day! Come visit at 1735 Danforth Avenue!

— Martin Reader (@martinjreader) May 8, 2013

Kingsbury, 20, captured the 2013 FIS World Championship title in moguls and silver in dual moguls. During the 2012-13 season, the native of Deux-Montagnes, QC, placed first on the podium five times and added a bronze medal to win the Freestyle Crystal Globe and the Moguls Crystal Globe for the second consecutive season.

Maltais (Petite-Rivière-St-François, QC), 33, reached the snowboard cross podium six times during the FIS season and captured four gold medals and two silvers. The two-time Olympian and 2006 bronze medallist was awarded the snowboard cross Crystal Globe for the third consecutive season and the fourth time in her career. She topped off her season by winning a silver medal at the 2013 FIS World Championships.