tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post4541403540986126061..comments2024-02-26T06:27:17.742-08:00Comments on Paula Findlay: Happy Canada Day!Paula Findlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16514648330464188367noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-18522064069295976482012-08-20T06:46:09.390-07:002012-08-20T06:46:09.390-07:00I had never heard of you before watching the finis...I had never heard of you before watching the finish of the Olympic triathlon. Of all the Canadian Olympians, I believe your name is the one I will remember for guts and the glory of giving your all. You are truly an inspiration,and judging from the other comments,you may not have won a spot on the podium but you have won a place in all of our hearts. With love KenAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16208879168764833509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-89085712783122989772012-08-16T18:51:52.175-07:002012-08-16T18:51:52.175-07:00Thank you so much for sharing your perspective.
Yo...Thank you so much for sharing your perspective.<br />You are incredible and crossing that finish line last was more amazing than if you had been first! So much so that I had to blog about it!<br />You are a blessing!<br />KimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-52482438653060406222012-08-12T07:12:36.263-07:002012-08-12T07:12:36.263-07:00dear Paula,
I hope you are well, I wanted to be a...dear Paula, <br />I hope you are well, I wanted to be amount those to tell you "no need to apologize" you are an inspiration.jmeyersforemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15524034365779047301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-9971696100456526102012-08-09T00:07:09.605-07:002012-08-09T00:07:09.605-07:00Paula, all we Canadians are very proud of you and ...Paula, all we Canadians are very proud of you and how you represented our country - you put your heart, soul, body and mind into it. You are a true inspiration to all of us, a true champion in all our hearts. <br />It has been said that tough times do not build character, as much as they display character. Your finishing the race, showed a most deepest strength of character, a beautiful soul, and a very humble and human side of yourself ( a place we all have but seldom display it). You did a wonderful and besutiful thing, and we all stand behind you. You have inspired more hope in us than you can ever dream of.<br />Thank you.<br />God bless.<br />Michael KrisaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16251342922118757081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-91339097233750053232012-08-08T00:01:39.489-07:002012-08-08T00:01:39.489-07:00Hi Paula,
We're proud of you. You have zero ...Hi Paula,<br /><br />We're proud of you. You have <i>zero</i> need to apologize for anything. You fought through injury and persevered your way to the Olympics. That, in itself, is an inspiration to millions of Canadians. Hope to see you in the next Olympics!JShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07581048047869874822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-15088797839092732732012-08-07T00:46:40.859-07:002012-08-07T00:46:40.859-07:00Some day when you look back on this it will seem l...Some day when you look back on this it will seem like the very beginning of your career, because it is. The seeds of opportunity have been planted!Gregwhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05251875163665063544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-17188582837899316892012-08-06T20:59:28.888-07:002012-08-06T20:59:28.888-07:00There was no need to apologize.
You showed tremen...There was no need to apologize.<br /><br />You showed tremendous courage and you made me proud to be a canadian.<br /><br />I admire your resiliency and you should hold your head high.<br /><br />Olympic medals will come, I'm sure of it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08279125066614527654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-90179950758102225782012-08-06T11:12:43.268-07:002012-08-06T11:12:43.268-07:00Paula, Your best days are still ahead of you. No n...Paula, Your best days are still ahead of you. No need to apologize, you showed true olympic spirit by finishing the race. Keep your head up.Seegeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16442863324899309328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-12910465460475390082012-08-06T05:14:44.435-07:002012-08-06T05:14:44.435-07:00Hi Paula,
saw your race today, you did what you ha...Hi Paula,<br />saw your race today, you did what you had to do given the circumstances. This is already a huge win,<br />Go back to training and forget that as an experience from the past,<br />See you on top in Rio,Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13631150237838185506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-61589669699450204882012-08-06T04:51:20.718-07:002012-08-06T04:51:20.718-07:00Paula, No need to apologize. A much wiser person ...Paula, No need to apologize. A much wiser person once told me, “You did your best. Some days your best may not the same as other days, but you did your best.” This wasn’t told to me in relation to running races but it could be. http://threeblueshoes.com/blog/2011/12/24/no-1-doing-your-best/<br />You do Canada proud.<br />Daviddrantahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01680732082990319166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-63055539826726474052012-08-06T00:06:32.772-07:002012-08-06T00:06:32.772-07:00Proud of you for crossing that finish line! Please...Proud of you for crossing that finish line! Please don't feel that you have to apologize, we all think you are incredible.Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12300668833016254647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-22260203673523797182012-08-05T23:58:42.520-07:002012-08-05T23:58:42.520-07:00Dear Paula,
I just wanted to let you know that you...Dear Paula,<br />I just wanted to let you know that you are a woman I very much look up to. I hope your healing goes well. Never give up and just do what you love to do!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />A young female Canadian athleteUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06365174454543590843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-27952887162837504282012-08-05T21:33:57.509-07:002012-08-05T21:33:57.509-07:00Paula...
No apology required. What you did is mor...Paula...<br />No apology required. What you did is more impressive and inspiration than any medal win. To be in such incredible pain and discomfort so early on in the race and to show the grit and determination to finish the race was incredible to watch.<br /><br />I sincerely hope you take time to heal and come back better than ever! However, if you decide this experience is the end we'll understand. Either way, all of Canada is extremely proud of you! You're an incredible inspiration and a testament to the olympic spirit. You're a hero. Know that.<br /><br />Thank you for your incredible effort.Darwin Goodinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02832825309750516570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-54583946650246329102012-08-05T19:08:29.165-07:002012-08-05T19:08:29.165-07:00Hi Paula, we are all proud of you for finishing!Hi Paula, we are all proud of you for finishing!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17489624780556251425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-27956425848682362882012-08-05T18:59:45.202-07:002012-08-05T18:59:45.202-07:00You finished in incredible pain. You showed great ...You finished in incredible pain. You showed great strength and courage. Canada is PROUD of you, Paula. Imagine what we all could accomplish if we had 1/10 of the perseverance and determination that you demonstrated. I'm proud to say that someone of this caliber represented my country.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16377003585616204237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-29167888026132106032012-08-05T16:57:28.708-07:002012-08-05T16:57:28.708-07:00Dear Paula Findlay
You have nothing to be sorry fo...Dear Paula Findlay<br />You have nothing to be sorry for. You showed up and you raced. You didn't finish where you wanted, and the race didn't go the way you wanted, but you have nothing to apologize for.<br />You could have quit, but you didn't. You continued, you persevered through you pain, and dissapointment, to cross the finish line. You are an amazing inspiration to us all. NEver give up. We are proud of you. Thank you.<br />Love SelahSelahBethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13084539466284155177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-7940340079107138652012-08-05T14:30:22.453-07:002012-08-05T14:30:22.453-07:00Your dedication and effort despite your injury and...Your dedication and effort despite your injury and last place finish means so much more than you realize. I don't want to teach my girls about working hard and being the best, but of sportsmanship, working hard in the face of adversity, and continuing on to ones goal despite disappointment. Your attitude and sportsmanship highlights some of the best of Canada and provide a better example to others than a gold medal. We all still love you, just for that.Serinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13652203793603623521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-37067583849638144022012-08-05T12:09:47.442-07:002012-08-05T12:09:47.442-07:00No need to say you are sorry. We respect you and y...No need to say you are sorry. We respect you and your efforts.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12807430890952699799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-38753726349307398122012-08-05T11:31:59.437-07:002012-08-05T11:31:59.437-07:00I have never written to an Olympian before. I have...I have never written to an Olympian before. I have never felt so moved as I have by what you accomplished the other day. It took me quite a while to find some way to send a message to you and I hope that this gets to you.<br /><br />Your accomplishment will be an example for centuries to come. You could have easily dropped out at any point in the competition and blamed your injury for your result. Instead, you continued to do the best you could. Even at the point when you looked at your coach and let the pain and hurt wash over you by telling him you wanted to quit, you fought down that impulse and continued forward to do what you set out to do; complete the Triathlon.<br /><br />At that point, you were probably deeply inside yourself so that you did not hear every single person cheering you on, wanting to help you take every step, willing you to finish your goal. You brought thousands of people to tears as they felt your pain and your hurt and truly they would have done anything to help you. Your will to finish was supported by every single person watching you from around the world willing you to take each step.<br /><br />You have <b>absolutely NOTHING</b> to apologize for. In fact, we should apologize to you for 'putting you through' the ordeal. Your feat did something incredible, far more than any medalist has ever done.<br /><br />Your accomplishment in finishing the Triathlon united thousands and thousands of people around the world, forgetting their differences and in fact, themselves as they joined with you in your struggle.<br /><br />That is an amazing accomplishment and one that you should be incredibly proud of. After all, you can compete again and we will all be there sending you our hopes, prayers and sharing in your joys in the future.<br /><br />But for this moment in time, you truly did perform a miracle.<br /><br />God Bless!<br /><br />Chris Warden<br />chris_warden@cogeco.caAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-65025639921178146632012-08-05T09:27:36.978-07:002012-08-05T09:27:36.978-07:00Dear Paula,
I have never written to an Olympian b...Dear Paula,<br /><br />I have never written to an Olympian before. I'm certainly proud of our athletes, and like any Canadian I cheer loudly for our top finishes. But your experience is entirely different. It is a success of a greater kind that perhaps more of us can relate to - a strategy, a struggle, a completion, a win even without a medal. <br />You gave years of your life, delayed your education path, and sacrificed time with friends all towards a goal of getting to the Olympics to represent what Canada has for skill, personality and perhaps most important, sportsmanship. The arms of your entire country want to hug you for your gift to us.<br />You have not failed, you have won the hearts and minds of millions the world over with your perseverance. You have no one to apologize to, we thank you. And you should have no regrets for finishing what you started, regardless of pain. Have no doubt my friend, your name will be spoken as the one of inspiration by many for years to come, by children who saw you never give up, and today are saying "I want to be like Paula, I want to be someone who never gives up!" <br />I hope to one day be able to shake your hand in person to say thanks as you so deserve, and I look forward to seeing you compete again. Your family loves you. Your friends love you. Your country loves you. Find your inner smile, and let it bubble to the surface to share with us! I mean come on, you're a red-head. How more Canadian can you get eh?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13210058539127165180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-73144078801923718802012-08-05T08:58:14.049-07:002012-08-05T08:58:14.049-07:00Hi Paula,
I am so proud of you! You represent wha...Hi Paula,<br /> I am so proud of you! You represent what this country is all about - strong, committed and determined. I felt your pain, emotionally the idea that dreams are not met and disappointment sets in. This feeling is temporary. I hope after the race you will reflect on your perseverance and how your choices have influenced every youth who wants to compete at your level. You became my Canadian hero. Anyone who starts something and aims to finish deserves congratulations. It is not how you place in a race, but the way you conducted yourself. <br />I look forward to seeing you in the next Olympics, don't give up your dreams, learn from the experience and move forward. You can do it, Paula!<br />Never apologize for the effort and commitment you put in. You made your parents, family and friends proud - and you made me a fan!<br /><br />Safe travels home!Tashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00829741212535810847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-61588006707845796322012-08-05T04:51:03.454-07:002012-08-05T04:51:03.454-07:00Paula: So many have said it so well. You have no n...Paula: So many have said it so well. You have no need to apologize! I hope you realize that in your one action of finishing the race knowing you would be dead last, you have become more of a hero than if you'd won! Who can really identify with those 3 who win a medal? But everyone of us can identify with and want the courage you showed by what you did. More teachers, coaches and inspirational speakers will show your video, talk about your action today than any medal winner during this entire Olympic year! One of the ads around the Olympic theme says "It's not what colour you come home with but the colour you go with! (then Tide wants to keep those colours bright) I'm not sure what colour courage is, but whatever colour it is, you have been the brightest (colour) star so far in all the events. Take heart! You are so admired by so many you will never really get to know. ck ..Mr. Kraekerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11249997234165060460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-4973062681057977552012-08-05T01:24:29.153-07:002012-08-05T01:24:29.153-07:00Dear Paula,
First off, I have to say, how brave of...Dear Paula,<br />First off, I have to say, how brave of you to even compete in the Olympic games.That in itself is an amazing feat. Not only do I feel proud to be a Canadian along side you- I am in awe. There are days, when- I think many may agree- it seems impossible even to get out of bed. I struggle every day. And you finished a TRIATHLON at the OLYMPICS. While it is a true testament to your character that you apologized to us, you don't owe us anything. Race for you, because you love it. People don't care how you placed. Our lives go on. What inspires and sticks with us is your spirit: passionate and inspiring; an athlete who gave this race her all. For this, I say Thank You. We are proud.<br />Alisha<br />Toronto ONRainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138637799965737150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-68016317613534352982012-08-04T23:41:40.884-07:002012-08-04T23:41:40.884-07:00Paula, I watched the triathlon live, I'm sure ...Paula, I watched the triathlon live, I'm sure many would have loved to see you do better, no one more than yourself, but it broke my heart to see you crying and apologizing, we're all still very proud of you, remember you finished, there are many that never got to the Olympics or got their and DNF. Very proud of you. You have a new fan along with the millions of others. Cant wait to see you in Rio!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14914701363433480502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1132808344192751736.post-20982622175638739142012-08-04T21:28:55.603-07:002012-08-04T21:28:55.603-07:00We're really lucky to have such a humble and a...We're really lucky to have such a humble and amazing Canadian as an ambassador to the world!<br /><br />You've inspired me to get off my ass and go run tomorrow - you've made a difference in at least one person with your performance :)7YearsLefthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07705877448642695278noreply@blogger.com