Canadian luge competitor to share Olympic spirit at VIU

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