Support from the curling community came pouring in Wednesday after Rachel Homan said she was in “the deepest of black holes” after missing the playoffs at the Beijing Games.
“I just want to give her a hug honestly, she has nothing to feel ashamed of,” said Canadian women’s team vice Kaitlyn Lawes. “She’s a two-time Olympian and worked her butt off.”
Homan and mixed doubles partner John Morris dropped an 8-7, extra-end decision to Italy last week. The loss — confirmed on a measurement by the smallest of margins— dashed their hopes of reaching the semifinals.
The three-time national champion said she avoided social media since missing the cut at the Ice Cube, admitting in a tweet that she was having a hard time with the loss.
“Being completely honest because I know many athletes have felt this but I’m in the deepest of black holes wishing we could have found another centimetre for Canada,” Homan said of the measurement. “Know that I’m cheering hard for every athlete in Beijing right now but personally struggling beyond words.”
I never take the maple leaf for granted and am grateful for the chance to fight for you all ❤️????????
Homan ended her self-imposed social media exile to congratulate long-track speedskater Ivanie Blondin on her gold medal in the women’s team pursuit on Tuesday.
“I’ve been completely off of social media, but when your childhood best friend realizes her lifelong dream, I had to send her the biggest f… Ya,” said Homan.
Homan said in another tweet that although she’s struggling with the loss, she was still honoured to represent Canada at the Olympics.
“I never take the Maple Leaf for granted and am grateful for the chance to fight for you all,” she tweeted, adding a heart and a Canadian flag emoji.
I’ve been completely off of social media, but when your childhood best friend realizes her lifelong dream, I had to send her the biggest f*<# Ya.<br><br>LFG <a href=”https://twitter.com/IvanieB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@IvanieB</a> <a href=”https://t.co/wYLA3qHdqQ”>pic.twitter.com/wYLA3qHdqQ</a>
Homan, who won a world title in 2017, missed the podium in her previous Olympic appearance in 2018, falling short in the women’s team competition at the PyeongChang Games in South Korea.
Joanne Courtney, who plays lead on Homan’s four-player team, said she’s heartbroken for her teammate and “is gutted that she’s feeling so low.”
“I love the vulnerability there to say it and I love how brave she was for coming on to congratulate her childhood friend,” Courtney said from Toronto. “For Rachel to put herself out there like that is admirable. It’s such a tough situation.”
Courtney, who’s working as a curling broadcaster for the CBC, added that an Olympic loss can be crushing.
“That disappointment on that highest level, your body processes it like a trauma eventually,” she said. “It’s a visceral reaction. I hope that she has lots of support around her right now.”
Feeling for you skipper. Sport can be cruel and you left it all out there ❤️ <a href=”https://t.co/xLziVzRBpb”>https://t.co/xLziVzRBpb</a>
Homan and Morris were selected to be mixed doubles representatives last month after the cancellation of the playdowns in late December due to COVID-19.
Brad Gushue, the 2006 Olympic champ, won the Canadian men’s team berth for Beijing last November. Jennifer Jones, the 2014 Olympic champion, took the women’s team spot.
“This is what we’ve worked a lifetime for so it’s hard to not realize those dreams,” said Jones. “It’s hard to be disappointed but perspective always comes. It just takes a little bit of time. I know Rachel will get there.
“She just has to lean on the people that care about her the most. Just remember perspective and remember all the great moments that she’s had in her curling career because there’s so been many that there’s a lot to lean on.”
Homan was not immediately available for a phone interview. The 32-year-old resident of Beaumont, Alta., is also a two-time Canada Cup champion.
“You were born awesome — not because of your medal count — but because you get to live this magical ride,” six-time national women’s champion Colleen Jones said on Twitter. Jones is in Beijing as part of CBC’s Olympic broadcasts. “Your greatest gold medal? Your beautiful family (and dog). This too shall pass — and you’ll rise again.”
This too shall pass.<br>It really does.<br>You were born awesome-not because of your medal count-but because you get to live this magical ride. Your greatest gold medal?<br>Your beautiful family (and dog).<br>This too shall pass-and you’ll rise again. <a href=”https://t.co/9Y6EDFGsxE”>https://t.co/9Y6EDFGsxE</a>
National team program manager Elaine Dagg-Jackson said Curling Canada offers support for athletes via its mental health and wellness portfolio.
Counselling, sport psychology and other services are also available, she added, noting the association aims to keep communication flowing during and after big events like the Games.
“My heart goes out to Rachel as always,” she said. “I know many people will reach out to her because she was so brave in sharing her thoughts.
“And honestly, I think that’s a really great first step on the road to feeling better is share your feelings and let the love pour in.”
WATCH | Canada falls to Italy by millimetre in mixed doubles curling:
Italy eliminates Canada’s Homan and Morris in extra end
10 days ago
Duration 13:05
Canadian mixed doubles curling duo Rachel Homan and John Morris’ hopes of an Olympic title defence came to a sudden halt on Monday in Beijing with an 8-7 extra end loss to Italy’s Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner. 13:05
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
