14 February 2006 is a day that will go down in Canadian cross-country history. It was the day Sara Renner broke her ski pole during the women’s cross-country team pursuit, making the team drop from first to fourth place. Norwegian coach Bjørnar Håkensmoen saw it and naturally handed her a new pole, albeit 12 cm too long. Sara Renner overcame the adversity, and she and Beckie Scott skied two extraordinary laps and brought home the silver medal.
By Norwegians the gesture by Håkensmoen is considered nothing out of the ordinary; “That is the way of ski racing” one Norwegian said at the finish line (Calgary Herald). Håkensmoen himself has stated that anyone would have done the same because it is a general understanding among coaches that you help out if an athlete’s equipment fails. It’s all based in the commitment to fair play.
The response by Canadians to this act has been overwhelming. The Embassy has received more than 600 e-mails, letters and telephone calls from Canadians from all walks of life across all provinces and territories, among others from the new Minister of Sport, the Honourable Michael D. Chong as well as from a parliamentarian on behalf of the New Democratic Party’s MPs. Håkensmoen has been hailed a hero, and been called the good samaritan. Some have suggested he get a gold medal for his display of sportsmanship and olympic spirit in a time when people are disillusioned with the commercialization of sport.
In addition to the numerous e-mails and letters, approximately 8,800 boxes of maple syrup, as part of Project Maple Syrup, have been sent to Norway to be distributed to the Norwegian Olympic Committee and the cross-country ski team. As Ambassador Næss pointed out during one of many interviews with him, maple syrup has not been well-known in Norway, but this is now about to change and we have received several tempting recipies to try out.
This warm response from Canadians has been greatly appreciated by us at the Embassy, and we were pleased to send Håkensmoen a package containing all the e-mails, letters and newspaper clippings received from you. THANK YOU!