Sinclair finds herself in Florida, but heart’s in Canada
Through a variety of circumstances, Christine Sinclair finds herself in Florida these days. But as she weathers the COVID-19 lockdown, her heart remains in Canada.
And the global pandemic strikes close to home for the native of Burnaby, B.C. Her mother, who has multiple sclerosis, lives in a care facility in suburban Vancouver.
“There are no known cases where she is at, so that’s positive,” said Sinclair.
The Canada soccer captain is particularly grateful for all those on the front line during the pandemic. But she knows that everyone can do their part.
“For a lot of people, that means actually doing something pretty simple — staying at home,” she said. “Even as difficult as that is at times. I know for me why I do it and my family does it is for people like my mom. Those are the vulnerable people in society right now.
“It’s about saving lives,” she added.
The world’s leading international goal scorer is showing her support and appreciation through the Canadian Olympic Committee’s “We Are All Team Canada” campaign.
“My family and I are thankful for the heroes who are risking it all to keep us safe. Now more than ever,” Sinclair tweeted alongside a photo of a homemade Maple Leaf sign and those of her two nieces.
Sinclair joins the likes of hockey icon Hayley Wickenheiser, basketball star Kia Nurse, former news anchor Peter Mansbridge, trampoline gymnast Rosie MacLennan and music’s Arkells in posting motivational messages to flatten the curve and show appreciation.
“It’s time for us to unite and work together even though we are apart,” the COC says in explaining the campaign. “It’s time for us to show our support for Canada and all those who are making sacrifices to make a difference.”
The COC calls Sinclair “the perfect ambassador for this campaign given her selfless nature and the enduring qualities she’s exhibited on the soccer field.”
The 36-year-old Sinclair ended up in Florida via Charlie, her Pomeranian dog which she had entrusted to a friend while on international duty with Canada.
After playing in the Tournoi de France on March 4-10 in Calais, she flew back to Florida to reunite with Charlie before returning home to Portland, Ore., where she captains the NWSL Thorns.
She was quick to connect with her Canadian teammates via their chat group.
“Ideally, we didn’t want to be preparing for the Olympics in apartments or trying to find random grass patches in cities. It just wasn’t ideal,” she said.
“Yes, I was very proud of the COC for kicking the sands as they did. And I’m also glad the Olympics actually got postponed because it’s the only thing that made sense.”
In the meantime, Sinclair is training in the Sunshine State until the NWSL gives the green light for the pre-season to start. And three times a week she takes part in video workouts with the national team.