Opening Events - Wednesday December 6th, 2006

Take part in a Mexican fiesta evening!

A four-piece mariachi band will serenade you as you enjoy a Mexican carnival and street fair. Mexican carnival games will be available for you to play. What's your favourite: Lime Putting, Tortilla Tossing or Corona Bowling? Enjoy the tastes, sounds and activities of the sunny country south of the border!

Dinner Speaker - Thursday December 7th, 2006

Marnie McBean is one of Canada’s most accomplished Olympic athletes and an expert in turning potential into performance.

She is in the Guinness Book of World Records.  She is in the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.  And her accomplishments as an athlete: 12 World and Olympic medals (6 gold, 4 Silver, 2 bronze); 23 World Cup wins; World Cup Champion; are nothing short of astonishing. At a world-class level you need every possible physical and mental advantage to succeed, and no-one is more qualified to assist individuals in exceeding their goals than Marnie McBean.

As one of only two Canadians ever to win three Gold medals in the summer Olympics, Marnie understands what it means to perform under pressure. Along with her natural ability to do her best when everything is on the line, she has also become a student of high performance psychology and practice. After a remarkable career as a rower, during which, in addition to her Olympic success, she also achieved an incredible record in the World Championships, Marnie has moved on to become a leader and mentor for current Olympic athletes. A former Director of Corporate and Athlete Programs at Olympic Spirit Toronto, she is an ambassador for the Olympic spirit.

Marnie’s abilities as a motivator have been recognized Canada’s national Olympic program. She was selected by the Canadian Olympic program to travel to the 2006 Turin Olympics as Team Canada’s official Performance Mentor. She offered a motivational talk to every team prior to the beginning of competition, and was also available to all of the athletes to give advice on how to prepare and compete in the biggest competition of their lives.

Through her years of training, Marnie found time to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario. She is a member of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, an acclaimed television commentator and a recipient of the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal. Marnie has also turned her public speaking skills and infectious enthusiasm to the service of a variety of causes, particularly Special Olympics and Covenant House as well as many sport and athlete development groups.