Team Canada’s Lisa Weagle takes us inside the Olympic experience
Sport06.08.2024
As the 2024 Summer Olympics unfold in their grandeur, capturing the world’s attention with breathtaking performances and inspiring stories, there is an undeniable buzz inside and outside the Olympic Village.
For the athletes, these games are not just a competition but the pinnacle of their careers — an event that represents years of rigorous training, unwavering dedication, and dreams realized. As viewers, we marvel at their skill and determination, but what does it truly feel like to be one of these elite athletes?
We had the pleasure of speaking with Lisa Weagle, a two-time Olympic member of Team Canada’s women’s curling team, to gain insight into what it’s like on the other side of the screen.
Celebrating the games — and Canada’s women
As Weagle reflects on the ongoing games, her enthusiasm is palpable.
“I love watching Team Canada compete and seeing those sports we don’t often get to watch,” she said. “The Summer Olympics are packed with amazing stories and athletes, and as a lifelong Olympic fan, I absolutely love it.”
And if you’ve been keeping track, you’ll know that women’s events have been somewhat stealing the spotlight. “The women are really shining this year,” she said. “From Summer McIntosh to our women’s rugby team achieving their best-ever result, there’s so much to cheer for.”
Preparation for such a high-stakes event is, of course, comprehensive and demanding. While it will look different for every sport, Weagle says the most important thing the athletes in Paris will be thinking about is how to take care of themselves.
While the pressure to perform can feel quite heavy, knowing you’re there with other athletes experiencing the same thing can really help, she said.
“It certainly becomes all-encompassing. There’s the mental side to think about, and then the basics like your sleep, your nutrition, and managing jet lag,” she said. “But it’s not just you. There’s also a big team around you that can help you feel supported in those difficult moments.”
Navigating the pressure
Naturally, Weagle’s empathy for her fellow athletes runs deep. Because there are only three places on the podium, many athletes go home disappointed, which can often bring on some pretty heavy feelings, she said.
Canada’s Jill Moffatt and Jenny Casson recently finished fifth in their lightweight double sculls semi-event. In the post-interview, Casson was visibly upset, saying she was feeling “a lot of anger” and “trying not to scream” because she felt they let everyone down.
It’s a moment Weagle is also familiar with.
“It broke my heart because that was my experience,” she said. “When you’re in that moment, you feel all these emotions, and you want to apologize to Canada, and you’re so disappointed. But for me, as I’m watching them, I think that they gave it their best, and they have nothing to apologize for.
“Sometimes, it can take a bit of distance, time, and perspective to really feel proud of what you did and know that you gave it your best that day.”
And while the Olympic experience can be challenging, Weagle says she hopes the athletes in Paris are genuinely soaking in every moment they can.
“What I really look back on with fondness now is how much fun I had training with my teammates and my coaches and some of those little moments in the athlete village, meeting other athletes and just soaking in that experience of being an Olympian,” she said. “I still look back on that very fondly.”
Women going for gold
This year’s Olympics have also underscored significant progress in gender equity within sports.
Paris 2024 is the first Olympic Games in history with equal numbers of men and women participating. As a female athlete herself, Weagle knows how important visibility is when it comes to competing.
“Knowing that sport hasn’t always been a welcoming place for women, and seeing Team Canada’s women perform really well, and seeing them showcased…it really does mean a lot,” she said. “I know that there’ve been a lot of women and men who have fought to have fully equal participation, and I hope to see that continue both at the Olympics and beyond.”
And with the closing ceremony a few days away, Weagle says she is excited to catch the remaining games and cheer on her fellow athletes because there is no better feeling than putting on your Team Canada kit and representing the maple leaf.
“The fact that these athletes are there, that they’re Olympians, is something to be very proud of, and they can hold their heads high and enjoy it no matter what,” she said. “Because at the end of the day, once you’re an Olympian, you’re an Olympian for life.”
