Share the Road is at the Olympics
Yesterday I had the privilege of spending the day watching Olympic cross country skier Devon Kershaw compete for Canada, and spend time with his friends and family.
Many of you will remember that Devon invited me to join him in a “Share the Road” Ride in his hometown, Sudbury, last summer, in memory of his girlfriend Sophie who was killed there in a cycling collision in 2001.
I’m here to cheer Devon and the rest of our Olympians on – including his girlfriend Chandra Crawford. Both are incredible athletes and exceptional people all around. They are committed to supporting Share the Road and sure enough I was so pleased to meet so many of Devon’s friends, family and team mates who know about his passion for safe cycling and for spreading the word about the importance of sharing our roads safely. Many were sporting Share the Road pins at yesterday’s event!
Yesterday, together with his team mate Alex Harvey, Devon placed 4th in the men’s team sprint – a personal best for both of them and a historic finish for Canada and our cross country team which has been racking up excellent records all week. Previous to record-setting finishes that have been the hallmark for this Olympics, the best finish for a male Olympian in this sport had been Alex’s father Pierre who placed 14th in 1988.
Devon and Alex, with an ecstatic Canadian crowd cheering them on, put on an incredible, gutsy, no-holds-barred performance in a race which saw an exciting finish. They were just 6.3 seconds behind the best sprinter in the world, Norweigan Petter Northug and his team mate, Oeystein Pettersen. It was breathtaking to watch and so inspiring to see these determined, fit athletes attain personal fulfillment. They make us so proud!
I had a chance to speak briefly with Devon following the race – he thanked me for coming (imagine!). It was great to share the pride I felt, with him. When a friend asked him how he felt he said: “Dude. I just finished 4th in the Olympics.” I couldn’t have said it better. Read more at Devon’s site and in the press at the Vancouver Sun and National Post.
During the course of this journey to build the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, I have met some wonderful people along the way. Like anything else, this journey has its ups downs, its challenges and its opportunities. For the most part, I feel as though we are making progress.
During those times when I feel that our goal for creating a Bicycle Friendly Ontario remains elusive, I will remember yesterday and the courageous journey of Devon Kershaw. He has triumphed over personal tragedy and has overcome significant loss. In its place he has nurtured his talent and pursued his dream.
In a world where anything is possible, where hard work produces results and where determination is everything, I am proud to know Devon Kershaw. He has inspired me and I look forward to working with him to pursue our shared dream – a Canada where bicyclists of all ages feel safe, are safe and free to pursue the simple joy of riding a bike.
I’ll be on hand tomorrow as Devon and Alex are joined by team mates Ivan Babikov and George Grey in the 4 x 10km relay. We wish them well.
Go Devon - Go Canada!
Yours in safe cycling,
Eleanor McMahon
