Profile of a World and Olympic Competitor in Rhythmic Gymnastics: Alexandra Orlando - by Anne Shier (a.k.a. "Annie")

(Based on the book “Breaking Through My Limits:  An Olympian Uncovered”, copyright 2012, by Alexandra Orlando)

Alexandra Orlando is a highly decorated world-class athlete.  In her sixteen years dedicated to rhythmic gymnastics, she has been Novice, Junior, and five-time Senior Canadian National Champion.  During this time, she was Canada’s dominant rhythmic gymnast, while earning a reputation as one of the few non-Europeans competing at the sport’s highest level.

In 2002, she placed an outstanding ninth place at the 2007 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, qualifying a spot for Canada at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.  She was the only athlete from all the Americas to achieve an Olympic berth, and the first Canadian to make a final at a World Championships in twenty-two years.

Just a few months earlier, she won 3 gold medals at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil, and was chosen as Canada’s flag bearer for the Closing Ceremonies.  Alexandra was given the great honour of also carrying Canada’s flag at the Closing Ceremonies of the 2006 Commonwealth Games one year earlier, where she won 6 gold medals and broke a world record for her sport.  Alexandra was chosen as the 2006 Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year at the Commonwealth Sports Awards held in London, England.

Hundreds of young athletes across Canada look up to Alexandra.  She has been an excellent role model and ambassador for sport.  Through coaching, speaking engagements, technical skills consultations, self-esteem and motivational workshops, she has helped and inspired many young adults across a variety of sports.

With over ten years of media training as an elite athlete, Alexandra has made numerous appearances as a keynote speaker and MC for large corporate events.  She was also a main spokesperson for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Bid, consistently speaking with the media and gaining invaluable on-camera experience.  Alexandra has done commentary for international rhythmic gymnastics events, and hopes to combine her love of sport and public speaking with a future in broadcasting.

As an active athlete advocate, Alexandra sits on the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Women in Sport and Youth and Education Committees.  She is also a mentor for the Canadian Youth Olympic Team that will be competing at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore.

Alexandra is an active Right to Play and Kidsport Athlete Ambassador, promoting healthier, active living for all.

In 2006, Alexandra co-authored a book about her life and her sport:  Alexandra Orlando in Pursuit of Victory.  From this experience, she has gone on to become a freelance senior writer for CBC and a number of non-profit organizations including the Strength Within Group, empowering young women to make a difference.  Breaking Through My Limits: An Olympian Uncovered is her second book.

She currently sits on the AthletesCAN Board of Directors as Vice President, and as an Executive Member of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission.  She was formerly the athlete representative on the Gymnastics Board of Directors, and continues to stay heavily involved as an international coach and judge.  Alexandra also sat on the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Bid Board of Directors.

Retiring from competitive sport in 2009, Alexandra became a program coordinator at the Institute of Havergal College, and subsequently designed and implemented the Pan/Parapan Am Bid Youth Program.  She is currently a Marketing Associate at the Toronto 2015 Organizing Committee, where she continues to thrive in the Canadian sporting community.

Alexandra has the ability to demonstrate, inspire, and teach.  Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious, and her love of and support for the athletes’ movement across Canada and the world are strong and unwavering.  It has been her passion and her dream since she was a young child to play this role, and she performs it so well.

www.alexandraorlando.ca

 www.youtube.com/alexandraorlando

Follow Alexandra on Twitter @ FreshFromAlex

copyright 2014, Anne Shier.  All rights reserved.