March 4 update: The Winter Olympics Final Day

The Winter Olympics Final Day

All of Canada was ready for the final show down for Men’s Ice Hockey. Early in the day people were heading to the arena (if they scored a ticket in the Olympic Ticket Lottery), the big screen areas or other places to gather and cheer on their idols. I watched the game on TV with friends in the Olympic Village as the broadcast was shown at many locations throughout the OV. Many said that the Final was the best Hockey Game ever at the Olympics. Down 2-1 the USA pulled their goalie and tied the score with 25 seconds remaining. All of Canada was shocked as the game went into overtime. Sidney Crosby scored the Golden Goal after about 7 minutes of OT. All of Canada (they invented Hockey) celebrated their most important of 14 Gold Medals. Hockey Medals for Men and Women were the same: Canada, USA, Finland. I enjoyed seeing the WO HK final and the Canada Slovakia Men’s Semi Final, as well and many of the preliminary round games.

Later in the day, I was given the opportunity to march into the Arena with the athletes and Olympic Delegations. I had been able to give free tickets to dozens of my friends, AIA teammates, and fellow chaplains over the course of two weeks. We saw some great events and were able to interact with the Olympians attending those events (we sat in a special section for the delegations). But the best was about to take place. I was able to walk in with one of the delegations and 8 of the chaplains were able to march in for the Closing Ceremony. What a thrill to be part of the party. After a great celebration of the Olympics and Canada, the delegations all went down on to the floor of the Arena for a great Rock concert. After it was over, we got back on the buses for the OV, thanking the Lord for the conversations we had during the waiting period before we walked in, as well as all the interactions we had with the Olympic Family the month of February.

Monday morning, I packed up and said good bye to my gracious host family, Horst and Wally, who had cared for me for 3 weeks, my wife, Noreen, for a week, and my More Than Gold friends Sergei and Dima for five days. I dropped Sergei (Ukraine) and Dima (Kazakhstan) off at the McDonalds near the Olympic Village, where my More Than Gold Canada friend Jack met them. This week they return to their countries after two weeks of meetings and seeing the MTG outreaches at the Winter Games. There was also a group of church leaders from London learning from the Vancouver experience how the Christian community can serve the Olympics with volunteers, providing information centers, free water, tea and coffee, or providing housing for some of the athletes’ families.

I stopped into the OV for one last time and was able to get a few T shirts and hats that were marked down to normal prices. I was hoping to find some of the famous red Canadian Olympic mittens, but they were sold out in every store in the region. Many friends requested these. Sorry I was not able to get them. I dropped off presents at the KAZ and BLR offices and said my last goodbyes in Vancouver. One last McDonalds coffee and I was on my way to Seattle.

Thursday, my wife, Noreen and I fly to Moscow. I will join the USA Freestyle wrestling Team for the World Cup in Moscow and then fly down south for dual meets in Nalchik and Vladikavkas. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

(click on any photo above to see photo album)

In HIS grip,

Carl Dambman 
Philippians 3:12-14

Carl's blog: http://carlaia.blogspot.com/

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/
Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/

Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Saturday, Feb 27 update: Belarus free style, Saturday Chaplain Team

Some more photos to enjoy: Belarus Free Style Team and Saturday's Chaplain Team



(Click on any photo above to see the photo album)

In HIS grip,

Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Carl's blog: http://carlaia.blogspot.com/

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Friday, Feb 26 update: More photos

Slideshow with various photos from the Games:

(click on any photo above to see the photo album)

In HIS grip,

Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Carl's blog: http://carlaia.blogspot.com/

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Friday, Feb 26 update: Women's Hockey, Belarus Gold, Meetings with Coaches

This afternoon the USA Women lost a tough Hockey Game for the Gold to the Canadian Team 2-0.  About 18,000 mostly Canadian fans filled the area.  I was with 2 other Americans and 3 Canadians enjoying a great game in the Arena.

I had to leave the game a few minutes early to catch a bus from the Olympic village to the Free Style Ski Aerials.  Belarus had three of the twelve in the finals.  Canada and USA were in the mix for a medal.  It came down to the last jump and Belarus brings home their first ever Gold from the Winter Games.  They have a complete set of Gold, Silver and Bronze this year.  I was with the team celebrating a great victory.  USA was 2nd, China 3rd.

I have had great chances to meet with athletes and coaches the past couple of days.  Slovenia, Moldova, Hong Kong, Austria, Russia, Canada, USA, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Australia to name a few.  It is great to be here.  Thanks for your prayers.



(click on any photo above to see the photo album)




Click on the link below to see a video news interview I did:
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/February/Missionaries-Spread-Good-News-at-the-Olympics/

In HIS grip,

Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Carl's blog: http://carlaia.blogspot.com/

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Thursday, Feb 25 update: Hockey, Aerials, Olympic Village Mayor

Dima from Kazakhstan and Sergei from Ukraine have been in More Than Gold meetings all week in preparation for Major Sports Events in 2011 and 2012 in their countries.  Today we met with one of the KAZ leaders to discuss how Dima and his network of friends in KAZ can provide volunteers for the Winter Asian Games a year from now.

In Men's Hockey, the USA got by a tough Swiss team and Canada dominated Russia.  Finland and Slovakia also move into the semi-finals.  I went to see the Freestyle Skiing Women's Aerials Finals.  Australia got gold with China taking silver and bronze.  Belarus had to settle for fourth and eighth.  Again I met Canada's Man in Motion, Rick Hansen, who is one of the Olympic Village Mayors.  Hansen, who was paralysed from the waist down after a car accident when he was 15, became a Canadian icon during his Man In Motion tour, which started on March 21, 1985. He covered 40,000 kilometres in 34 countries by wheelchair to raise money for spinal cord injury research.

(click on any photo above to see the photo album)

In HIS grip,

Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Wednesday, Feb 24: photos with Team Belarus

Team Belarus

(Click on any photo above to view the photo album)

In HIS grip,
Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Monday, Feb 22 update: Skiing and Knowing God

Monday was a busy day in the Olympic Village and at events. I was able to give tickets to co-workers and friends for four Men's Ice hockey games and also able to go to see the Men's Freestyle Skiing Qualification Round, with two other chaplains and sit with the Belarus Delegation.  USA, Canada, Switzerland and Belarus all qualified one or more of their skiiers.  Three of the BLR athletes finished in the top 12 but their number one skier (ranked first in the world) lost a ski on the second landing and will miss the final.  Amazing sport.  I am better built for Freestyle Wrestling then Freestyle Skiing.  


Sunday, I was glad to see a couple of the athletes who had told me last week that they wanted to know God in a personal way.  We had a nice discussion about the importance of faith.  They flew out yesterday and I was able to say good bye to their coach (whom i have known since Nagano 1998) as well as his sportsmen.  


Please pray for the many skiiers and skaters who have finished and are already heading home.  Pray for those who will compete this week, for the Olympic Family and also the spectators and Vancouver communitiy (our hosts).

In HIS grip,
Carl DambmanPhilippians 3:12-14

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Pictures: Vancouver Olympic Cauldron

All photos courtesy of HKolper, Canada

Photo 1: Olympic torch cauldron

Photo 2: Olympic torch cauldron (close-up)

Photo 3: Olympic torch cauldron (night view)

Sunday, Feb 22 update: the power of prayer and selflessness

Via another chaplain:

Hello Friends

 

I haven't seen a new post on Steve's blog today (http://stevesolympicblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/meaning-of-it-all.html) but expect one soon.  You may have seen our good friend Lyndon Rush, 3rd after the first run in bobsled, and in pushing to the limits crashed in the second run.  When I asked Steve what his own first thought was as he saw Lyndon's sled hurtling down the track upside down, he just said "broken".  Lyndon has been faithfully attending Bible studies at the Olympic village, bringing his teammates, and trusting God.  Pray that he will continue to trust God as he now responds to this disappointment and prepares for the 4 man race coming up.  Praise God that Lyndon and his brake man Liselles were not seriously injured.

 

A look at Lyndon: the morning before the race Steve texted Lyndon to tell him he was praying for the upcoming race.  Lyndon responded by asking Steve to pray for one of his teammates who is searching spiritually at this time.  And last night on national TV when the announcer said it was a bad day for them, Lyndon said - No, it's a good day as one of our teammate's wives had a baby.  In a world where we often think top athletes have to be so self focussed to succeed, here on one of the biggest days of his life Lyndon is putting others ahead of himself!

 

Also pray for our friend Cindy as she races the 1500m today in speedskating.  Last night on prime time they showed the story of a family tragedy that deepened Cindy's faith.  It was a great testimony of praise to God.  "Speedskating is important, but not as important as my family and my faith" Cindy said in referring to God miraculously healing her sister after a car accident.  Praise God!

 

Please pray for the girls and I as we travel to BC tomorrow.  I won't be sending any more reminders about the blog but ask that as God puts us on your heart you would pray and check every so often for updates of specific prayer items and Steve's perspective.

 

Thanks for your encouragement and prayer.

 

DEB

In HIS grip,
Carl Dambman
Philippians 3:12-14

Athlete Testimonies: http://www.beyondtheultimate.org/

Athletes in Action Global: http://www.athletesinaction.org/
Athletes In Action Russia: http://www.athletesinaction.ru/
Campus Crusade for Christ International: http://www.ccci.org/

Funeral for Georgian Luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili

Thousands gather for somber ceremony
Associated Press

BAKURIANI, Georgia -- A nation that had hoped to watch one of its most promising young athletes compete in the Olympics gathered instead Saturday to mourn him, more than a week after the luger was thrown to his death in a practice run at the Vancouver Games.

Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, died after slamming into a steel pole on the luge course hours before the opening ceremony. He lost control of his sled during a training run, shot off course and slammed into a trackside steel pole at nearly 90 mph.

Thousands of mourners flocked Saturday to the yard of his family's two-story brick home for a traditional funeral feast. Inside, the body lay in a coffin, surrounded by Orthodox Christian icons and burning candles.

A small choir sang Georgian chants and a portrait of the athlete hung on the wall.
His father, David Kumaritashvili, stared at the portrait somberly and said: "I wanted to throw a wedding feast for you. Instead, we have a funeral."

The luger is to be buried in the cemetery of a tiny church in the snowy alpine village, Georgia's top winter sports retreat. President Mikhail Saakashvili was expected to attend the funeral. Before the funeral, family and friends poured red wine in the grave as part of the burial rite in this Caucasus Mountains nation with millenia-old winemaking traditions.

Kumaritashvili's friends and family said that despite his age, he was an experienced athlete who came from a dynasty of lugers. One of his relatives pioneered the sport in Georgia, and his father and two uncles won multiple awards in the sport in Soviet and international championships.

Kumaritashvili participated in two World Cup competitions and was regarded as one of the country's most promising athletes.

An investigation found that Kumaritashvili was late in coming out of the next-to-last turn and failed to compensate. But his family and others have insisted he was experienced, and have blamed his death on the course's design.

Concerns about the course had been raised for months. Many worried that the $100 million-plus venue was too technically demanding, and that only Canada's sliders would have enough time to adapt to it during practice. Kumaritashvili had completed only 26 runs on the Whistler course, while Canadian lugers ran the track hundreds of times.

In his hometown, the athlete was a hero, especially to the children who looked up to him.

Neighbor Dmitry Laliyev, 4-years-old, had asked Kumaritashvili to bring him a toy rifle back from Canada. The athlete's parents found the toy in Nodar's luggage after his death and gave it to Laliyev.

The boy played with the toy Saturday among the crowd of mourners.

"Nodar brought me this," the boy said, pointing at the plastic rifle.

The boy's father, Gogi Laliyev, said when the athlete traveled he always brought home presents for Dmitry.

"I told Dmitry, 'Nodar promised to get you the rifle, so he got it for you,' " Laliyev said, trying to hold back his tears.

AP Photo/Shakh Aivazov

David Kumaritashvili holds a photo of his son, Nodar, 

at his funeral Saturday in Bakuriani, Georgia.