Atina Ford Johnston
Like a rolling stone
By Luc Boulanger
Atina Ford Johnston is a Canadian curler—a world and an Olympic champion. She won a gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano
and she now hopes the Canadian team will accomplish the same in the 2010 Winter Games, next February at the Olympic/Paralympic Centre in Vancouver. Born in 1971, Atina is the daugher of another curling player and former coach. She has a bachelor’s degree in education and is qualified to teach French immersion.
“Learning French has opened so many doors for me in all areas of my life, including sports,” she recalls. “As a result of both knowing French and having participated in the Olympics in Nagano in 1998, I was able to fulfill the duties of Bilingual Briefing Officer for Team Canada at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg. That was a fantastic experience for me!
“Even today, I watch athletes compete on TV that I was able to meet at the Pan Am Games and at the Olympics. It is hard for me to really believe that a farm kid from a small town, Gray, Saskatchewan, grew up to compete in the Olympics and world championships and has been fortunate to meet many of our outstanding Canadian athletes. It feels surreal.”
Knowing French has also given Atina Ford Johnston the opportunity to make good friends in both languages and to help her team and her family while travelling.
“I have also been fortunate to deliver motivational speeches about my Olympic experience in both English and French to all kinds of people and I have had opportunities to work with media outlets in both languages. Learning French has really enriched all aspects of my life!” concludes the Prairie athlete.
