Man of the Week/Visuals

It's an oldie but absolutely deserving of attention. This heralding act of SoW may carry a bit of cheese but really, in light of the prevalent greed and selfishness in modern society, occurrences of respectful consideration for others needs to be highlighted.

Bjørnar Håkensmoen, Norwegian coach for the Norwegian Olympic ski team, without hesitation stepped forth from the sideline and handed a ski pole to rival Canadian skier, Sara Renner, when her pole broke during the women's team sprint at the 2006 Torino Olympics. Ms. Renner won a silver medal while Mr. Haakensmoen's Norwegian skier was edged out to fourth place. This is the kind of behaviour that we here at SoW wholeheartedly support and applaud.

Canada's Sweet Gift to Norway
Canadian Embassy in Oslo

The Canadian Ambassador to Norway, Jillian Stirk, today presented a gift of 7,400 cans of maple syrup from the Canadian people to Mr. Bjørnar Hakensmoen.

"This gift was a spontaneous outpouring of appreciation from the Canadian public, in response to a remarkably selfless act by Mr. Håkensmoen. The Embassy of Canada is honoured to be involved in this project, which so clearly demonstrates - and will strengthen - the people-to-people ties between our countries. Canadians and Norwegians have well-deserved reputations for being caring and generous -- this story simply reinforces that belief".

During the women’s team sprint at the Torino Olympics, a Canadian skier, Sara Renner, broke her ski pole, but Bjørnar Håkensmoen came to her rescue and gave her a new one. With the new pole, Sara and her teammate Beckie Scott went on to win the silver medal.

Mr. Håkensmoen claimed he simply reacted like any good sport should, telling the newspapers that Norwegian policy calls for handing over poles or skis in time of need. Canadians were thrilled with this story, which so beautifully exemplifies the Olympic spirit and fair play.

To show their gratitude, a group of Canadians devised a unique way of thanking Bjørnar Håkensmoen and Norway - with Canada's national sweet treat, maple syrup! With the help of the The Independent Communications Dealers Association of Canada Inc. and Canadian company Bell World/Espace Bell, Canadians all across the country bought cans of maple syrup and attached personalized messages of thanks and admiration. Seven thousand, four hundred cans were purchased and sent to Norway, and the Embassy of Canada in Norway has been given the honourable task of distributing them.

The maple syrup was presented to Mr. Håkensmoen, who in turn presented it to Chess Communications of Norway, in exchange for a 150,000 NOK donation to the Norwegian Cancer Society. The Embassy of Canada, Mr. Håkensmoen, and Chess Communications will distribute the maple syrup throughout Norway to the people of Norway with the assistance and participation of the Norwegian Coastal Express (Hurtigruten).

(more pictures available at the link of the story)