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In pursuit of victories
Murray Mccormick, The Leader-Post
Published: Thursday, May 24, 2007Alexandra Orlando doesn't come across as Canada's reigning queen of rhythmic gymnastics.
Orlando, 20, is open, funny and engaging when talking about a sport that has been her passion since she was five. On Wednesday, Orlando wasn't any different than any other athlete taking part in the 2007 Canadian gymnastics championships at the Credit Union EventPlex.
"You know, I am really happy and excited to be here,'' Orlando said with enthusiasm while watching the competitors on the floor. "I've competed all over the world, but never in Regina.''
View Larger ImageRhythmic gymnast Alexandra Orlando was at the Credit Union EventPlex on Wedesday afternoon signing copies of her book Alexandra Orlando: In Pursuit of Victory.
Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post
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Printer friendlyJulie Levasseur, Saskatchewan's provincial women's rhythmic gymnastics coach, used to compete against Orlando before retiring. She said Orlando's personality comes across on the floor and through her interaction with every level of competitor.
"Alex is very well liked because she's so down to earth,'' Levasseur said. "That's difficult, especially when you get to the elite level like she has. Alex is known for her ability to be approached and talk to anybody. She has lots of friends right across the country. She knows what it takes to be the best and how to inspire other girls to be the best. She's a role model.''
Orlando could be blase about the national championships, especially for rhythmic gymnastics. She is an seven-time Canadian champion, including a novice championship in 1999, two junior titles and every senior women's title since 2003.
"I love competing at nationals,'' said Orlando, who grew up in Toronto. "They are always one of my favourite competitions because it's so rare that I get to compete in front of my home crowd. My family gets to see me and it's nice to compete and feel all of that support.''
Orlando has earned all of the support that Canadians can muster for one of their elite amateur athletes. In 2006, she won a record six gold medals at the 18th Commonwealth Games in Sydney, Australia. Orlando won gold medals in the all-around, rope, ball, clubs and ribbon, and was also part of the first-place team.
Orlando, Edmonton swimmer Graham Smith and Australian swimmers Ian Thorpe and Susie O'Neill are the only other athletes to win six gold medals at a single Commonwealth Games.
Orlando was selected to be Canada's flagbearer for the closing ceremonies in Sydney. She also joined the elite members of Canada's rhythmic gymnastics community that includes Vancouver's Lori Fung, who won gold at the sport's Summer Olympics debut at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.
Orlando's accomplishment earned her headlines and the nickname "Alex the Great" in Australia. In Canada, she's just Alex.
"It's because of my sport,'' Orlando said. "Rhythmic gymnastics in Canada isn't popular. It's a European-dominated sport, so over there we're treated like superstars. We compete in sold-out arenas. Here, not a lot of people even know what it is.''
Fung, who is in Regina serving as a judge, is familiar with the sport's lack of a Canadian profile. Fung was elevated to star status with a gold-medal performance in Los Angeles.
"I was so proud of what Alex did at the Commonwealth Games,'' Fung said. "It brought rhythmic back into the forefront of Canadians because it was a long time ago that I did it in Los Angeles. It has started to fade.''
