www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday August 27, 2008 - 39 Expectations were a lot to handle Continued from page 34 Koeverden had gone faster over 500m than anybody else in the world ever has. That's a testament to how far he has raised the bar in his sport. Saturday, he showed just how far he can take himself in one day. In the 24 hours between his eighthplace finish in the 1,000m that saw him deliver a heartfelt apology to Canada on national TV and the 500m final, van Koeverden said he received encouragement and support from his coaches, teammates and other athletes as well as dozens of e-mails from back home. Not much of it immediately put his mind at ease. He tried reading, cold showers, anything to help him sleep, but he tossed and turned all night. Van Koeverden said he is always nervous before a race and that usually fuels him in his performance. Referring back to his sports psychology class at McMaster University, he recalled a graph that showed how mounting stress and expectations can improve performance until it reaches a certain point, at which it drops off dramatically. "It just became absolutely too much to handle and I didn't think I had that in me," he said. "I'm not blaming (the 1,,000m result) on the pressure. I just didn't deal with it as effectively as I would have liked. "Thankfully, I've not had too much opportunity to deal with failure in my career," he said. "My mom made it clear that it was a time to grow." So, just like when his aching muscles screamed in the final strokes of a race, it was time to quiet the thoughts racing through his head by proving that he is among the world's best at what he does. Van Koeverden delivered. DAN HO / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER GO ADAM GO: Burloak Canoe Club members Amanda Shaw (left) and Tanya Thomson were among the people to attend cheering parties at Boston Pizza last week to watch teammate Adam van Koeverden paddle at the Olympic Summer Games in Beijing. To advertise in this section Call Jessica 905-845-3824 ext 299 FLOORING DECKS CONSTRUCTION PAINTING C P PAINTING PAINTING Quality & Efficiency!! We Specialize in: Custom Homes Restorations & Additions Design, Development & Architectural Planning Wheel Chair Accessible Homes Foundation Repair & Mini Excavation Services Add Some Colour Family Business with 20 years experience. Photos & references available. Book now for Seasonal specials alpinedeck.com You Dream It...And We Will Build It! 905-847-3636 T/F: 1-866-747-0071 F: 905-847-2336 www.dcamconstruction.com · Personal & Professional Service · Flawless Surface Repairs · Designer for best colour coordination & selection CALL GLEN: (905) 607-4212 cell: (905) 616-0260 www.contemporaryprecisepainting.ca 905-828-1320 PAINTING PAINTING & WALLPAPERING Royal August 29-31, 2008 José Ramirez For Free Estimates call SERVING OAKVILLE SINCE 1963 PAINTING D & G Painting & Decorating Interior & Exterior DECORATING LTD. COMPLETE PAINTING & WALLPAPERING SERVICE · RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST · INTERIOR & EXTERIOR · CUSTOM COLOUR MIXING · RESTORATIONS · PLASTER REPAIRS & TEXTURING CLEAN PROFESSIONAL WORK AT A REASONABLE PRICE Rick Miller Tel: 416-574-0564 Oakville & Milton Member info@dgpaintingdecorating.com QUALITY WORKMANSHIP BY QUALIFIED TRADESMEN DECORATING & COLOUR CONSULTANTS (905) 334-2120 · Residential /Commercial Painting · · Interior/Exterior · Faux Finishes · · Staining · Plaster Repairs · · Caulking · and more · PAINTING (905) 827-5584 ALVIN T. JONES HOME IMPROVEMENT FREE ESTIMATES UPHOLSTERY FLOORING YOUR AD HERE INTER-CAN PAINTING INC. Painter & Decorator · Interior/Exterior · Plaster Repair · Wallpapering/Stripping · Stucco · Quality Work/Great Service · Free Estimate FINE EUROPEAN CRAFTSMAN-DESIGN REBUILDING RECOVERING CUSTOM WORK FLOORS & STAIRCASES Chesterfield from $700.00 $250.00 Chair $500.00 Settee $300.00 Rocking Chair $150.00 Swivel Chair $350.00 Lazy Boy Chair Dining Chair from $ 30.00 $ 60.00 Foot Stool Installation·Repairs CALL TODAY Sand & Finish e To advertison cti in this se Hubert Klein (owner) Since 1976 (905) 469-0092 (905)901-3516 (647)828-0369 Call Jessica 1240 Speers Rd., Unit 2, Oakville, ON L6L 2X4 905-845-3824 ext. jlangero@oakvillebeaver.com 299 (905) 469-3122