Animalympics: Blaze of Glory

Chapter 2: 'The New Era'

The times have changed since the 1980s, and still some things have not. Diving is now platform and springboard, and hockey has changed. Both the mens and womens teams for the North American Kodiaks have changed to Team USA, and Team Canada. The Eurasian Shorthorns are Team Russia, and other teams of the former Soviet satellite states.

"Another day," I said as I woke up

My sport hasn't changed much with the inclusion of the short-track event. I call speed-skating 'Formula One Racing on skates and tight-fitted suits'. I had decided to get in a few extra hours of practice before the opening ceremony. It was a beautiful sight to see. I was there with my fellow athletes to watch the Animalympic flame be lit, and we are ready.

The long track event doesn't start until Day 5 with the Womens 1500m. I can feel a pressure on me. I know I have to get my workout hours in. Still, I'm new here. I'll see what the Animalympic Island can offer, and maybe see a few of the events on the schedule. I look forward to the hockey matches. Team USA versus Team Canada will be a good one

"Delilah?!" gasped a familiar voice

I looked behind me "Anne-Marie?!"

We shared a hug in the gym. I turned a quick eye over the harbor seal's shoulder, and saw Marina lightly snarl and walk off. I ignored it, and focused on my friend, "I knew you would make it," she said in a French-Canadian accent. She's originally from Sainte-Jerome in Quebec. We met after the North American Finals, and we soon became best friends.

She treated me to poutine after my second place finish. I have to say that poutine is greatest culinary creation I've ever had, "Don't worry about her, and don't be scared, she's just trying to punk you, she did the same to me at my rookie Animalympics," Anne-Marie assured me, I nodded, I don't know. I have a feeling that Miss Petrova has it out for me

Before my workout, I got my suit. This slightly metallic suit is blue with dark blue in the 'stars and stripes' from my right shoulder to my left hip, and around my left thigh. Team Canada has a cool suit too, "Want to get something to eat?" Anne-Marie offered, I smiled and made a nod. Today's a treadmill and weightlifting day. Anne-Marie acted as a 'spot'

"So this is your first games?" she asked

"Yep, it is," I replied, moving in the food line

"Hey, hey now, you're a big girl, you got this, I skated against you in Montreal, let me tell you that deserve to be here," said Anne-Marie as I got a little piece of home from the food line with a fish and chips. I sat down to try out the food. The fish and the chips are pretty good. I make a better tartar sauce. Even at the end of all this, she's still my friend

"Say, you want to hit the ice after lunch?" she offered, I smiled and nodded with a mouthful of fried haddock. I always carry my duffel bag around. It's pretty light, and holds my skates and even my swimsuit and swimcap in case I'm going to the pool to swim laps. I know that Anne-Marie is not challenging me, It's just that I'm not the type to back down.

"Sure," I accepted after swallowing the last bite of lunch, "I'd like to give my new suit a workout," I added, I was wearing my 'Team USA' hoodie and sweatpants as I went down to the oval track with Anne-Marie. Gilda and Greta are on the track too, suited up and talking. I sat down at a bench, and put on the hood of my suit before taking off the hoodie

"Hey there, Delilah," greeted Gilda

"Good to see you on the ice," said Greta

"Thanks, girls," I said, pulling my sweatpants down. I put on my long-bladed skates, and I got out on the oval track. Anne-Marie is in the red, black, and white of Canada. Greta wears the dark blue, and orange of the Netherlands, or Holland. Gilda wore the black, red, white, and gold of Germany with 'Germany' on the sides of the legs in golden lettering

"Hey, nice suit," said Anne-Marie

"Thank you, I really like it too," I replied

I stretched out my arms and shook out my thighs as I glided slowly on my skates to the starting line. I winked and grinned to Anne-Marie. I can see that Gilda wanted a shot at me too, and there was plenty of room at the starting line. I am not one to taunt my opponents, but I do playfully tease, "You wanna go 500m, Mother Goose?" I teased to Gilda.

"As you Americans say: 'It's on now'," Gilda replied with a mature and womanly giggle. She stretched her arms, and pulled up her black tight-fitted hood on her suit. According to her online profile, Gilda just hit 40 and she's still going strong. I don't see any age marks on her. Gilda looks great. So does Greta. She's 35, and still a powerhouse in skating.

"Oh no, not without me," smirked Greta

We lined up in positions on the ice. It was old veterans versus young guns. One of the staff blew a quick burst from his metal whistle, and we were off. This is so much fun, going fast in a straight-ways and leaning into the turns while keeping up with Gilda, Greta, and Anne-Marie. I have a feeling that this is how the finals will end up. Well, I can be wrong