Esks.com Staff
EDMONTON — With the heavily anticipated 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games underway, Eskimo running back Jesse Lumsden is getting prepared for his first ever Olympic showing. The 27 year-old Edmonton-born athlete was named to the 2010 Canadian bobsleigh Olympic team in January of this year after participating in the sport for just over a year. He joins five-time Olympian and fellow Edmontonian Pierre Lueders’ team in both the two-man and four-man events.
His first Olympic appearance will take place on Saturday, February 20th at 5:00pm local time for the first heat of the two-man race. The second heat will take place the following day beginning at 1:30pm local time with the medal race to commence at 3:05pm, where Jesse and Pierre Lueders hope to bring home their first medal. Jesse will be back at the Whistler Sliding Centre on Friday, February 26th for the four-man race. The medal event for the four-man will take place on Saturday, February 27th at 2:35pm.
Jesse has been at the Whistler Sliding Centre for the past few weeks getting ready for his first Olympic appearance and hopefully his first Olympic Gold Medal. We had a chance to very briefly catch up with Jesse in between training sessions to get some insight on what may be going through this rookie Olympian’s mind.
EE: With the Olympic opening ceremonies only one day away and the anticipation surmounting, what are your feelings about taking part in your very first Olympic games?
JL: It’s an amazing feeling to be representing your country at this level of competition. I can’t wait for the events to start. I’m participating in both the two-man and four-man events so I look forward to competing for a medal twice during these games.
EE: Explain, as best you can, what it is like to fly down a track made of ice going over 130 km/hr in a metal tube?
JL: It’s extremely tough to describe. It’s kind of like the old wooden roller coasters where you just got banged around while going unbelievably fast. Any sort of video you see cannot do it justice. But it’s a ton of fun and I have enjoyed every single ride I have ever gone on.
EE: You’ve been in Vancouver for a while. What is the atmosphere like there right now?
JL: I have nothing to compare it to, to be honest. There is lots of excitement right now as all the athletes have just received our clothing for the opening ceremonies. Right now it’s more relaxed but we’re just about to do a big media thing. After the opening ceremonies tomorrow and when the first events start up, it’ll be electric here.
EE: What does it mean to you to be representing your nation at this level of competition and what has been your favourite part about being an Olympic athlete?
JL: The idea of representing your country is a huge accomplishment. The buzz of the city and positive support from the support staff, volunteers and security has been unbelievable. They have been amazing and that has been my favourite part so far.
The Edmonton Eskimos and the Canadian Football League wish Jesse Lumsden the best of luck in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and hope he makes it to the podium in both events!
