Carol Huynh waved to me!

Months and months and months ago, whenever there was a new block of Olympic tickets released, we would immediatley log on and see what was available, how much it cost, and did we want to see it.  The day Women's Wrestling came up our first thought was 'no, not interested'.

And then we remembered - BC girl Carol Huynk was the current Olympic gold medal holder and would be in London to defend her title.

That win of hers in Bejing 2008 was memorable, being Canada's first gold that year, but also for her genuine surprise and delight.  In every interview she was utterly charming. 

But it's her back story that really brings her to the foreground of our memory.

Carol's  parents were so called "boat people" who fled Vietnam and arrived in Canada as refugees, settling in small town New Hazelton because members of the United Church there sponsored her.  Those members were a Dr. and Mrs. Muir.  And Mrs. Muir was my adored grade one and two teacher!  I only found this out by accident about a year and a half ago when Dr. Muir received his Order of BC award.

So - Carol and I are practically sisters!

The end of this chapter is we saw her earn an Olypmic Bronze medal for Canada. As she left the award ceremony she waved to the clusters of Canadian flags and "Go Carol Go" shirts.  We were sitting apart from these, but as she passed she looked up and saw my Canada t-shirt and waved  to me, smiling that radiant smile of hers.