As Alberta’s Ambassador to the Olympics -- and with less than two weeks to go before the opening ceremonies --  I am consumed with all things Olympic right now. The Vancouver Olympics are a great opportunity to showcase Alberta to an international audience and my team and I are working hard to leverage this opportunity for Alberta by capitalizing on our tourism and business potential.

I truly have the best job in the world! It has been a joy to see so many Albertans take part in the festivities surrounding the Olympic Torch Relay and to announce the members of Canada’s teams in the biathlon, bobsleigh and skeleton events.

The highlight so far has to be the torch relay. Thousands of Albertans braved all kinds of weather to cheer the torch on all across the province. Albertans obviously loved watching the relay and fully support what it represents. I was honoured to join former Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed at the border when he handed the torch over to B.C. on behalf of all Albertans. What incredible memories for everyone involved!

More than 50 per cent of our Winter Games athletes live, work and train in Alberta, one of the great legacies of the 1988 Calgary Olympics. I’m sure the 2010 Games will leave an equally strong legacy for Western Canada.