When it comes to inspirational stories of perseverance from the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, Mark McMorris’ ability to overcome a broken rib to win bronze in the slopestyle competition stands out for many. It was a heavily publicized narrative ever since the injury occurred during the X games, and became international headline material when the medal was won.
But not every story of Canadian resilience caught a piece of the narrow spotlight that is Olympic coverage. There are several that are no less impressive than McMorris’, yet considering circumstance and athlete they do not see the air, sound-waves or press.
One of these stories is that of another Canadian snowboarder: Mercedes Nicoll of North Vancouver, BC. Unlike McMorris, Nicoll was never a favourite to contend for a halfpipe medal, despite a surprising sixth place finish at Vancouver 2010. This is likely why her story hasn’t be told, be certain not why it shouldn’t be well-known.
Without prior knowledge it would have been impossible to tell that there was anything wrong with Nicoll as she started her second qualifying run at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. She was putting together an excellent run and it seemed highly likely that she would make it to the Semi-Finals.
But as she attempted one of her final tricks, a highly difficult air-to-fakie which she was attempting to land switch, her legs came out from under her. She lay on the snow for a while, clearly injured, before getting up. She would get up by herself, but was visibly devastated and in tremendous pain as she was helped by Canadian team doctors.
Unbeknownst to the audience and TV crew watching the event Nicoll had fallen in an earlier practice run and was concussed, the later detail of which even she was unaware.
“The audience probably thinks that we’re at the top of our game at that moment,” Nicoll tells Last Word On Sports. “Only if the commentators know a little something about the athletes, then the audience would know.”
The fact that she was even able to complete her final Olympic run at all is an incredible feat of determination.
“My first run I was in tears because it hurt so much to even get to the top of the pipe to strap in,” Nicoll tells Last Word On Sports. “I really learned a lot about myself and how driven I am. Once I set my mind to something I’m going to do it, push through the pain.”
Push through she did, in all likelihood one landing away from a spot in the Olympic semi-finals. Riding at all under the circumstances are incredible, putting in a run that could be considered one of the best in the world is another thing.
As with many of the other snowboard and ski events, complaints about conditions were prevalent in the halfpipe event. Nicoll confirms that she thinks it made a difference in the results of her competition.
“100% it did, it was by far the worst halfpipe of the season,” Nicoll Tells Last Word On Sports “I have never seen so many top riders crash. Even going ahead to say I haven’t seen that many people crash in the length of a whole season that did in this contest. It was a real shame, because the whole World is watching and that was not snowboarding at its finest.”
She did say, however, that snowboarding overall was successful at the Olympics, especially considering the inclusion of slopestyle. She is hoping that this success will translate into snowboarders having more input into the events going forward.
“We are on the World stage, and we want to showcase our sport, we have the right to have a say how it all goes down.”
With a score of 43.50 Nicoll would finish the Olympics 25th behind teammates Alexandra Duckworth (17th) and Katie Tsuyuki (13th).
It may not match McMorris in terms of metallic value, but Mercedes Nicoll showed a level of perseverance in her Olympic performance that should make any Canadian proud. At this point her story has been somewhat forgotten, but it certainly deserves to re-emerge.
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