Posted with permission from the Hamilton Spectator
August 08, 2008
John Kernaghan
The Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 8, 2008)
When Mark Oldershaw marches in the Olympic opening ceremonies this morning, he'll cement his family as lords of the rings.
He'll be the third generation and the latest in five from the family to compete in the world's biggest sporting showcase.
The Burlington paddler follows in the wake of grandfather Bert and father Scott, a Canadian coach who will march in with him today. Two uncles also represented Canada.
And nothing will be more poignant then the moments today when he looks at his Olympic ring, a gift from parents Scott and Connie Lee just before he left for China.
The ring, which bears the five Olympic rings, "is like a family tradition," Oldershaw says. "My grandfather had one and my dad and uncles have them."
"Being a third-generation Olympian means everything has become more vivid as we get closer to the Games," he said.
As he marches, Oldershaw will remember the years and training it took to fit into the ring.
And it is all the more emotional considering his future was in jeopardy five years ago due to a non-malignant tumour in one hand. Surgery successfully corrected that.
"It's special. I've been trying on my dad's ring my whole life and it's been too big. Now I have one that fits. It's something tangible to prove I'm an Olympian."
And it's a rare moment for his father.
"It means a lot to me to see Mark continue what my father started in this family," said Scott. "There's a special dimension when you're both the coach and your son is carrying on a tradition," he added.
The late Bert Oldershaw, a well-known force of nature along the Beach strip, competed in the 1948, '52 and '56 Games, making the canoe final each time.
Mark says his grandfather passed along the spirit of the sport. "He didn't teach me anything major, just to have fun and show me how proud he was to be an Olympian and proud to be an Oldershaw," he said.
There are two second-generation Olympians also competing in paddling events at these Beijing Games.
Brady Reardon of Burlington is in the same stroke position his father, Jim, occupied in the four-man kayak event at the 1972 Games.
And K-2 paddler Mylanie Barre's father, Denis, was in Reardon's boat that year.
jkernaghan@thespec.com
905-526-3422
August 08, 2008
John Kernaghan
The Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 8, 2008)
When Mark Oldershaw marches in the Olympic opening ceremonies this morning, he'll cement his family as lords of the rings.
He'll be the third generation and the latest in five from the family to compete in the world's biggest sporting showcase.
The Burlington paddler follows in the wake of grandfather Bert and father Scott, a Canadian coach who will march in with him today. Two uncles also represented Canada.
And nothing will be more poignant then the moments today when he looks at his Olympic ring, a gift from parents Scott and Connie Lee just before he left for China.
The ring, which bears the five Olympic rings, "is like a family tradition," Oldershaw says. "My grandfather had one and my dad and uncles have them."
"Being a third-generation Olympian means everything has become more vivid as we get closer to the Games," he said.
As he marches, Oldershaw will remember the years and training it took to fit into the ring.
And it is all the more emotional considering his future was in jeopardy five years ago due to a non-malignant tumour in one hand. Surgery successfully corrected that.
"It's special. I've been trying on my dad's ring my whole life and it's been too big. Now I have one that fits. It's something tangible to prove I'm an Olympian."
And it's a rare moment for his father.
"It means a lot to me to see Mark continue what my father started in this family," said Scott. "There's a special dimension when you're both the coach and your son is carrying on a tradition," he added.
The late Bert Oldershaw, a well-known force of nature along the Beach strip, competed in the 1948, '52 and '56 Games, making the canoe final each time.
Mark says his grandfather passed along the spirit of the sport. "He didn't teach me anything major, just to have fun and show me how proud he was to be an Olympian and proud to be an Oldershaw," he said.
There are two second-generation Olympians also competing in paddling events at these Beijing Games.
Brady Reardon of Burlington is in the same stroke position his father, Jim, occupied in the four-man kayak event at the 1972 Games.
And K-2 paddler Mylanie Barre's father, Denis, was in Reardon's boat that year.
jkernaghan@thespec.com
905-526-3422