FNST, Mitchell receives a 2010 Olympic honour
Chelsie Mitchell and the rest of the First Nations Snowboarding Team pose for a photo after being selected as 2010 Olympic Torchbearers October 15.
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Chelsie Mitchell has been named one of 20 First Nations Snowboard Team Members to be selected as a 2010 torchbearer on February 6, 2010 in Lillooet B.C. Mitchell has been part of the First Nations Snowboard Team since 2005 and this will be her first time representing the FNST during the torch relay.
As a member of the Wet’suwet’en Nation and a resident of Moricetown, Mitchell is overwhelmed with the honour she has been given to carry the Olympic torch.
“As a 2010 Torchbearer it is not only an honor, but a movement for the First Nations Snowboard Team, my family and community,” said Mitchell.
“I am now realizing the responsibility it entitles; to carry the Olympic Flame, that was lit up by the sun and journeyed here from Greece to Canada. It’s pretty exciting and very humbling to have been selected as a positive leader. The run will be in honor of my family and community that have been unconditionally supportive for my passion, snowboarding.”
As a Vancouver 2010 torchbearer, Mitchell, and her other torch-bearing teammates, are ambassadors for their own communities but also for the country. Keeping the Olympic spirit alive by making other athletes feel welcome and to uphold the Olympic message of hope and peace.
“I’m anticipating great success in following our Canadian athletes during the 2010 Olympics and I believe we are to witness nothing but excellences. We have strong, determined athletes, that are competing in their home country,” Mitchell said. “Canadian’s are very enthusiastic and supportive for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and I trust it will be a good month celebration.”
It has been a long road. For Mitchell, loaded with a number of obstacles, although she has managed to overcome all of them and still emerge as one of the top FNST snowboarders and is prepared for the 2010 Olympics. As a torchbearer Mitchell knows what it means to be dedicated to the sport that she loves and with Canada on the world stage in less than four months there is no greater honour than to represent the country that has made this experience possible.
“As most athletes go through obstacles, at the beginning of the 2006/07 winter season, after months of discipline training, I learned I was expecting my son, who I had in August 2007. I continued to snowboard and coach snowboarding with the First Nations Snowboard Team until I was six-and-a-half months pregnant. After having my son and my body recovered, I automatically when back into training mode to condition my body for the up and coming winter season,” said Mitchell. “In the winter of 2007/08 I coached the Jr. Elite First Nations Snowboard Team and entered in a couple of local competitions. This year, I am back competing with the Elite First Nations Snowboard Team in FIS Halfpipe and Slopestyle at BCSA competitions. I am anticipating to compete at the Halfpipe Nationals at Stoneham Quebec in March 2010. I will be coaching with the First Nations Jr. Elite Team and I am the assistant coach with the First Nation High Performance Team.
After having my son, I can honestly say I’m in the best shape of my life, physically and mentally. I find I am more focused and determined. Now, when I train I know I am capable of more than my body limit and I give it all my heart.”
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