You only have to look at the changes in Alexa Loo's life to realize four years is a long time.
The anniversary date of the 41-year-old former national team snowboarder's final hometown race is fast approaching - the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
The eight-time Canadian champion worked her way down the foggy slopes of Cypress Mountain in the parallel giant slalom event, narrowly missing out on a spot in the quarter-finals. She went on to conclude the World Cup circuit and compete in one final national championship before getting on with the rest of her life.
Loo and Ari Goosen were married three months later and the couple now have two young children.
"In some ways it doesn't seem like it was that long ago but there have been so many changes in my life since then," said Loo. "After having two children, I'm getting my body back a little to where it was four years ago."
She has a network of friends through the sport she has stayed in touch with and also serves on Snowboard Canada's board of directors.
Loo has changed her professional career path too. The chartered accountant is now an executive coach that sees her work with executives and business people to achieve their own "Olympic size" success.
She is also active in her hometown as a volunteer with the Richmond chapter of Kidsport - a community based sport-funding program that provides grants for children 18 and under to participate in a sport of their choice. Loo chairs the marketing committee for the Kidsport Richmond Creating Community Champions fundraiser banquet, slated for March 6 at the Hilton Vancouver Airport.
The hotel has already stepped up in a big way by donating the food, venue, parking and services for the event. It means every cent raised will go directly to the program, giving more children an opportunity to play sports.
"It's super exciting for me to be giving back to Richmond and to the kids of Richmond. We're hoping this becomes and annual event and, long term, we would actually like to increase the size of grant ($150) that we currently give the kids."
Individual tickets start at $150 or $1400 for a table of 10. Champions tickets go for $190 (individual) or $1,700 for a table of nine guests. Each champions table will feature a local sport hero. Among those committed include Darcy Marquardt), Arjan Bhullar and Bobby Singh.
For information on how to purchase tickets email [email protected].
