Jon Montgomery wants company on Olympic podium

Now that they've marched up to the altar together, skeleton racers Jon Montgomery and Darla Deschamps have their next destination in mind: The Olympic podium in Sochi 2014.

This was a romance made sparked by skeleton – they met when Deschamps tried out for the team – and they believe they can each weave some magic on the ice in Sochi, as Montgomery did with his thrilling gold at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

"We know we definitely have our work cut out for us, but we're going to give it everything we have," said Deschamps.

Adds Montgomery: "It's one of those super lofty goals you set out for yourself and you do everything you can between now and that day to make sure you're in the best possible place for success. We don't believe it's ours to lose. We have to earn it and we're going to have fun tracking it down."

One has little doubt of that. Montgomery endeared himself to Canadians not only with a big win when the country was struggling in Vancouver but with his exhuberant celebration.

In Deschamps, he appears to have found a kindred spirit.

"We're like-minded individuals," said Montogmery. "Our friends and teammates say that we were probably put on earth for one another.

"Having a partner who understands the pressures and trials and tribulations of being an amateur athlete in Canada only bolsters our relationship. I think in some cases it can be a hindrance having one partner who is not involved in amateur athletes and one who is because the demands are incredible on your time. It's great having a partner who gets it."

They're also under no delusions that there won't be rough patches.

"Like having a partner in any case, you don't always want to hear what they have to say and sometimes it's easier coming from a coach or someone who you're not intimately involved with," Montgomery said. "I think in this past year and in time to come there's going to be a learning curve to figure out how to be both supportive as a teammate and a spouse because it is different."

They've been together five years and knew each other before Montgomery achieved his measure of fame. She says it hasn't changed him at all.

"She does carry a pin in her purse just in case she has to pop my inflated ego," he said.

Adds Deschamps: "But I haven't had to use it."

They got married before family and close friends at the Ex Nihilo Vineyards in the Okanagan. And here we all thought Montgomery was a beer guy.

 

Comments

[Jenn]

I'm so happy for them both! Thanks, as always, for giving us Olympic athlete updates between competitions :)