Today we were both excited as we were going to Canada Olympic Park where the 1988 Winter Olympics were held and where the film ‘Cool Runnings’ was filmed.
We took a train and a bus there so we got to see more of Calgary than just the city. You could see the ski slopes long before you got to the park. We got a good deal on a entry ticket and first stop was the museum. There was memorabilia from all of the winter olympics since Berlin in 1936. They had torches, medals, equipment and clothing from each event and olympics. In the theatre the walls were covered with the names of all the volunteers from the 1988 games – Joanne McNally was there (see..another Canadian connection!). Also in the theatre was the real Jamaican bobsleigh from the film! We were told that it was a much lighter version than the real bobsleighs and were also let in on a few secrets about the film..but there secrets so can’t share! hehe!
We both got to hold a real torch from 1 of the 50 from 1988 along with a medal and a flag! Mark wasn’t too impressed though as they didn’t have a mini Irish flag..so he refused to hold the British one..he got the flowers instead..see photos! There was a cabinet containing replicas of some of the torches from the previous olympic games – including Sydney.
Upstairs there was a hockey game where you practiced scoring, accuracy and speed! As much as I tried – I was rubbish!! I now know why I never played at school! Mark was ok...Ok...he was reasonably good at it!
From the museum we headed over to the Ice House which is where the athletes practice skeleton, luge and bobsleigh starts! Got to sit in a bobsleigh and a skeleton..but unfortunately not ride it on the ice! Humf!
As you walk around the park, you see different parts of the bobsleigh course. We got to see corner 14 where they crashed in the film..and of course the finish! To see the start of the course we had to go up in the chair lift to the top! Was a bit scary at first..but we soon got used to it n enjoyed the views and the fresh air! Getting on and off was another story..it was a case of jump..or you carry on! hmmm!
From the top we got to see the start of the bobsleigh course and also to go up the ski jumps! I wasn’t impressed to see that in the winter you can ride down the bobsleigh course with a professional! I would love to bobsleigh..trying to persuade Mark that we should come back just so we can have a go! These were huge and apparantly they are the highest point in Calgary..even higher than the Calgary tower (helped by the fact they are on a hill)! ooooo er! We couldn’t help but wonder what the park would look like during the winter when the snow has fallen...