3rd Olympics for Heather Moyse inspires hometown

Heather Moyse of Summerside, P.E.I. inspired the residents of her home town and province Monday when it was announced she has been selected to represent Canada in her third Olympics.

Moyse flew home immediately after the Montreal announcement, and told CBC News being back in Summerside for Christmas is exactly the kind of rest she needs right now.

"There's always a huge support system here and I think it's phenomenal," said Moyse.

"I think that's why we can accomplish so much."

Moyse and her teammate Kaillie Humphries are the defending Olympic bobsleigh champions. The pair has already topped the podium at two World Cup events this season, an impressive feat considering Moyse is nursing a back injury.

She said she is just as excited to be named to the team this year as she was in 2006 and 2010. Moyse only took up bobsleigh in 2005.

"To be honest it really had nothing to do with the actual sport of bobsledding," she said.

"It really had everything to do with the challenge and seeing if I could push my boundaries and see how much potential I had in the sport."

Turns out that potential was huge. Moyse's willingness to take on new challenges and succeed makes her a role model for many in her hometown.

"Just going once [to the Olympics] is exciting," said Summerside resident Stephanie Thorpe.

"That she gets to go three times and represent not only Canada but P.E.I., it really puts us on the map and it just shows that if you work hard enough you really can achieve whatever you want to do."

Moyse will spend about a week and a half on the island before turning her attention back to bobsledding. Moyse and Humphries are considered Canada's best hope for a gold medal in bobsleigh in Sochi.

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