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COUNTDOWN TO THE
GAMES
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49 Friday, January 3, 2014
SERVING MISSION SINCE 1908
The thrill of the Games a family affair Dan Kinvig ABBOTSFORD NEWS
Janie Green has never had to look far to find famous role models. When she was in kindergarten, her class had a celebrity dress-up day. While most of her classmates came as movie stars or musicians, Green wore a Team Canada jacket and Olympic medals around her neck. Real ones, mind you, not dollar-store replicas. She was representing her mom, former national team short track speed skating star Eden Donatelli Green, whose glittering career included a silver medal in the 500 metres and bronze in the 3000m relay at the 1988 Calgary Winter Games, and a gold in the 500m at the 1987 world championships. If there was any doubt that the speed skating gene would be passed on to Janie, it’s worth noting that her father Julian Green was also an Olympian in the sport, representing Great Britain, and later served as coach of Canada’s national team. Her parents currently coach speed skating clubs in Maple
Ridge and Langley, and her maternal grandfather, George Donatelli, helms a club in Chilliwack. “Ever since I heard about Mom being in the Olympics, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do,” said Janie, now a 13-year-old Grade 8 student at Mission Secondary. “The rink is my second home. I was there four days after I was born. I’ve just always been there.” For the Green family, the upcoming BC Winter Games in Mission (Feb. 20-23, 2014) represent a highlight in their overlapping speed skating careers. Janie, representing the Ridge Meadows Racers, qualified for the Zone 3 Fraser Valley team, finishing tied for first in the U14 girls division at the qualification event earlier this month. Eden, meanwhile, is one of the key contributors on the BC Games leadership team, serving as director of registration and results. And Julian will be coaching. For Eden, who works as a Grade
The rink is my second home. I’ve just always been there.
Janie Green
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Former Olympic speed skating medalist Eden Donatelli Green and her daughter Janie are excited about the upcoming BC Winter Games in Mission. Donatelli Green is the director of registration and results for the Games, while Janie will be competing in U14 girls short track speed skating. DAN KINVIG PHOTO