2010 Winter Olympics Feature Canadian Siblings
Good Genes Run in These 2010 Olympian Families
Oct 7, 2009
When Charles and Francois Hamelin step on the ice at the Winter Olympics in 2010, it may be the start of a historic event in Canadian Olympic history. The short-track speedskating brothers shared the podium in a World Cup event in Vancouver last fall and to do so in the Olympics would be a first for Canada. Along with the Hamelin brothers, whose best event is the 1000m, there will be a number of other sibling pairings representing Canada in 2010. Some have attended previous Olympics, while some are rookies and not all are likely to stand atop the podium.
Hockey Brothers
There is the real possibility that three Staal brothers will make the Canadian men's hockey team in 2010 - Jordan (Pittsburgh Penguins), Eric (Carolina Hurricanes) and Marc (New York Rangers). Eric and Jordan are Stanley Cup winners with their respective teams, while Marc is in his first year with the Rangers. He is the most unlikely to make the team. Despite the long and storied history of Canadian hockey, if the brothers make the team and win gold (or any medal) it will be the first time Canadian siblings have been on the podium at the Winter Olympics. The brothers are still young enough to set their sights on the 2014 Olympics when there is the possibility that a fourth brother may be in the mix (youngest brother Jared is a Phoenix Coyote prospect.)
Brother-Sister Alpine Skiing Duo
Britt Janyk is a veteran in the world of Alpine skiing and did not have the best season last year. However she is a former winner on the World Cup stage and is a real possibility for a medal if she recaptures her form of 2007-08. A series of injuries and poor pre-Olympic results kept Janyk from previous Olympics. Britt's brother Michael Janyk skied in Turin 2006 where he finished 17th in the Slalom. Michael had a successful 2008-09 season with a bronze medal in Val D'Isere at the World Championships. On any given day, when in good health, Michael or Britt can cross the finish line fastest. Watch for Britt in her specialty of the downhill, while Michael prefers the Slalom and Slalom Combined.
The Moffats
Mike and Chris Moffat didn't always luge together. They participated in Salt Lake 2002 with different partners but came together for Turin 2006 where they finished ninth in the luge. The brothers are currently in the top 10 double lugers in the world. Last season, Chris suffered a broken wrist but their goal is to be competitive in 2010. Their best World Cup finish is a sixth place finish so will hope to improve on that next year. The brothers won their fourth consecutive Canadian title earlier in '09 at the Whistler Sliding Centre. The Centre will host the luge, skeleton and bobsleigh contests at the 2010 Olympics.
Speed Skating Family
Jessica Gregg had a fantastic World Cup season in 2008-09, winning two gold medals in short track speed skating. She also scored a number of silver and bronze medals. Brother Jamie, a long track speed skater, had a breakout year in 2008-09 and gained experience and confidence training with old pros Mike Ireland and Jeremy Wotherspoon in Richmond. The siblings have an impressive family history to draw on for Olympic inspiration - mother Kathy was a speed skater and participated in Innsbruck 1976 and Lake Placid 1980 while their father, a former Edmonton Oiler, was a member of Canada's hockey team in Calgary 1988.
2010 Winter Olympics a Family Affair
Having one family member at the Olympics is a long shot - having two family members even more unlikely. These athletes have already beaten the odds. With the support of a nation behind them and the close support of a family member who has been there, done that, perhaps a podium finish is not that distant a dream.
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