Interview with Susan Cushman - a Manitoba olympian

1. What were some of your favorite sport moments?

- There are so many but people ask me this alot especially about Olympic moments and one that stands out is the opening ceremonies of the 92 Olympic Games in Barcelona when the torch was being lit. For those who don't know it was an archer from the infield of the Stadium who shot an arrow precisely lighting the torch up at the top of the stadium. The crowd went wild!

-Another moment for me was at the 91 Pan Am Games in Cuba where just before I performed my rope routine, the crowd, all of which were Cubans, were doing the wave around the stadium and chanting "Canada" clap clap clap "Canada!"
What an exhilerating feeling to know that Cuba and Canada were so supportive of each other! I still love the Cubans for that!

2. Can you describe one or two career highlights?
One career highlight would be making the 1992 Olympic team of just 2 gymnasts! It was vindicating for me because of the fact I had missed the 1988 Olympic Team by .004 of a point at the Trials. This was very disappointing but I had decided right there that I would make the 1992 team. People thought I was crazy as this would be another 4 years of training and Rhythmic gymnastics is Not easy on the body but nobody was going to tell me any different.

Susan Cushman competes in Ball at the 1992 World Championships in Brussels

3. How did you get involved in Gymnastics

I saw girls doing back handsprings on the school yard when I was 7 and I told my mom I wanted to go into gymnastics. Little did I know I should have been more specific and told her artistics gymnastics. Well my Mom put me in Rhythmics by accident and it was the best mistake she ever made. I fell in love with the sport.

4. Why did you chose to live and train in Manitoba?

I definitely had the opportunity to train in Ontario which was a power house at the time, but I chose to stay in Winnipeg because we had great coaches, I had artistic freedom with choreography and we were a developing province in the sport and what better way to develop the sport than to excel at it in front of youngster from Manitoba becoming involved. I remember the impact role models had on me and I was determined to set a new standard for my fans. I am also a proud Manitoban and many of us get overshadowed by larger provinces such as Ontario , or BC.

5. Are you watching the 2008 Beijing Olympics? Is it hard or easy, and why?

Of course! Totally into the Olympics! It is hard this time! MAybe because this is the first time I have kids while watching it and there is alot of introspection once you have children. Wish I was out there! Also because the Olympics is just that more accessible now than ever. What with being able to watch many events, texting and seeing what you've missed on the Internet. It also reminds me of a dear friend and athlete I had met at the Olympics in '92, Mark Graham, who was killed 2 years ago in Afghanistan representing our Armed Forces.

6. What skills did you learn from sport that you are now able to apply in your life?

What haven't I learned! I am a huge proponent of sport! First it showed me what its like to be an ambassador for your country and how to act and represent your country responsibly and to have an appreciation for your country. It has taught me the value behind hard work and tenacity. Goal setting: short term and longterm. Also to enjoy the journey while focusing on the prize. Embrace hardwork! Nothing that has come easy has felt worth it for me I cherish that which I have worked very hard for!

7. I understand that you have three children (with one set of twins)? The question I have for you is which is harder the Olympics or raising twins?

Honestly both are different but both have rewards with hard work and giving your all. One is short term and a flash in the pan in ones life (training for the Olympics). It takes alot of intensity and focus and you've gotta be "clutch" when it matters.
Raising kids, is a great challenge that I love everyday. It is constant work and I find the most important thing is to live in the present and enjoy every moment as you will reap the rewards as well. One of the most important things i've found is not being a hippocrite with children and leading by example which also makes a great athlete.

8. What are you now doing professionally?

I am currently a firefighter/paramedic for the Winnipeg Fire
Department on mat leave!

9. Are you still involved with sport?

I have not been involved for the past 2 years with Sport as I am very busy with kids but was a coach for 12 years after retiring as an athlete. I miss it. I may judge in the future.

10. The controversial topic this last week has been the lack of Canadian medals. In your opinion what do you think would help Canadian athletes win more medals?

This has definetely been on my mindfor a while now and in my experience I think there are a number of factors. First and foremost. Allocation of funds! Too many bureaucrats not enough money going to our athletes. Our athletes go to the Olympics and do their best with what they've got but what they are given is not good enough. Sport complexes should be built with the intention of building champions, not just Canada's best. Our mindset for all sports should be we come to win and our government is behind us to win....support and funds. So how do we allocate these funds? Worldclass facilities for the athletesthat incorporate school with training, Worldclass coaches, world class choreographers, and funds that the athletes can travel and experience more big, high profile events not worldclass government buildings. Enough analysis has been done, enough survey taking! Get our athletes the facilities and insentive to win.