We always hear about the athletes but do we know anything about how they got there? The support they had along the way and who was there to pick them up when they fell? I am very proud to tell you all about a recent chat I had with Alma Moir, Mom of Olympian Scott Moir. Scott is currently in Sochi getting ready to compete with his Ice dance partner Tessa Virtue. Together they are the 2010 Olympic champions, the 2010 and 2012 World Champions, the 2008 & 2012 Four Continents Champions, the 2006 World Junior Champions and five-time (2008–2010, 2012–2013) Canadian national champions.
Having a son who is involved in competitive sports myself, I am always interested in hearing how the family is involved. P&G are great supporters of not only athletes, but the moms of the Olympics athletes. Follow the #ThankYouMom hashtag to see more. Maybe you had a chance to see this video
I asked Alma the importance of being there during competitions for Scott. She said they realized early that their support during competitions was very important and they always made sure one of the parents was there for the duo. The on ice support was important but the off ice and down time support was most beneficial. She mentioned times when the two would hang out in the parents hotel room to just feel that at home feeling.
We discussed the benefits of small town community and the support Scott received growing up. Fundraising, grassroots support from clubs and their community was a lot more approachable being in a small town, Alma said. But as they became more recognizable it got harder for them to get in and out pf places without being seen. A trip to the local ice rink or grocery store would not be quick. It was important to them to be there for the bad times and the good times.
We also discussed how life was like at family get together’s and how they dealt with Scott’s fame. Alma said it is hard but they try to not discuss skating all the time. She said it was a learning process but for the most part everything remained normal. When it came to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics they were all excited. But it was not an unexpected accomplishment as Scott and Tessa had been training and competing and they more less new they would be competing. Along with the nerves any family would have, they are very excited for them.
Alma offered the following tips to moms (parents) of athlete;
Be supportive. Not only of their wins but of their losses as well.
Be a listening ear. Be there for them to talk about their hopes, goals, dreams, strategies and anything else they may need to talk about.
Love them no matter what!
Like any mom, Alma hopes Scott does well in his competitions and is excited for him to be competing. But no matter what happens she will always love him.
In case you do not know, P&G launched the Thank You Mom Campaign, an integral part of the company’s worldwide partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). P&G, as the “Proud Sponsor of Moms”, is using its voice to celebrate and thank moms in Canada and around the world for all that they do for their children every day.supplies the moms of the Olympic athletes with a care package. A Thank You Mom bag full of products from Procter & Gamble.
We asked Alma which items she loved most in the care package and she said she has always been a fan of many of the products. She was actually surprised to see how many she used day to day that are in the P&G family. So it was the perfect fit!
I am looking forward to the Olympic events beginning and can not wait to cheer on Scott and Tessa and the rest of Team Canada. It is going to be an amazing year for our athletes.
Thank you Alma for the chat and for all you do as a mom.
Disclosure: I am a P&Gmom/mamanP&G. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Support and love is a common trend amoung all the Mom's interviews and one we need to remind ourselves of in the heat of the moment – great interview, thanks for sharing!
I think it's amazing how P&G supports athletes in this way, making sure their moms are there to see them perform and to cheer them on. What Alma reveled in your interview is pretty insightful. I am sure the downtime support, and just being bale to hand out with your parents when not competing, would make a big difference.
When I read this I was reminded of our own Olympian in the family. Really took alot to get him to that world stage and watching my aunt see her son on the podium well that was a memory I cherish some 30 years later.
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What a wonderful interview!!