February 18, 2010 - 2:05am
Olympian
Meaghan Simister is coming to Vancouver Island University Wednesday, March 17,
to present awards to competitors on campus who were inspired by the Calgary
luger as they took part in their own race.
The
24-year-old niece of VIU Criminiology chair Joanne Simister sent a
motivational message to members of eight teams in the Campus Recreation
“Biggest Luger” competition. The six-week activity and nutrition-tracking
program encouraged students and staff to compete to gain the highest average
activity minutes per person per team. Based on their performance, competitors
have been moving team sleds down a model track installed in the VIU gym.
“As a Canadian
Olympic luge athlete, I must live an active and healthy lifestyle to compete
against the best in the world,” Simister wrote VIU competitors.
She
congratulated participants who had the courage to make a commitment to a
healthier lifestyle. “I know first-hand that goals can be achieved with the
proper preparation, mental toughness and hard work.”
Simister’s
visit is part of Campus Rec’s Discovery of Wellness program. She will be
talking about her experiences at the Olympic Games as well as what it takes to
get there in terms of motivation, dedication, goal-setting, coping with
the pressure and other challenges.
Simister
has faced significant challenges at the Olympics. Four years ago in Turin, she
crashed and did not finish. At the Vancouver Games, she was forced to adapt to
a last-minute modification of the course in the wake of the tragedy that
claimed the life of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili.
Simister,
who has a reputation as a fast-starter, had to adjust to the altered starting
line that was lower on the run. It meant that the course that she had trained
on for years was not only different but also less-suited to the design of her
sled. She finished 25th in the event.
Simister’s
presentation at Malaspina Theatre on the Nanaimo campus from will be held from
3:30 to 5 pm, Wednesday, March 17. Free tickets can be picked up starting
Monday, Feb. 22 at the front desk of the VIU gym, Building 190. To reserve
tickets or for more information, contact Karen.Alden@viu.ca.
Organizers
are encouraging people to wear red and white to the event to show support for
Canada’s Olympic athletes.
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For more information, contact Karen Alden by email: Karen.Alden@viu.ca. or
phone: 250-740-6429
Tags: In the Community
