BEIJING - The Olympics have given Karen Cockburn many magical moments, so being the Canadian flag-bearer in Sunday's closing ceremonies at what are probably her last Games added one final enchanting memory.
Cockburn, 27, won a silver medal in trampoline in Beijing. It goes with the silver she won at the 2004 Athens Games and the bronze in 2000 when the sport made its Olympic debut in Sydney.
"It's such a honour to be able to represent Canada three times at the Games," said the Toronto native. "The Olympics are just magical.
"All three of them have been so special in their own way."
Cockburn is one of five Canadians to win medals in three consecutive Games in a non-team or non-relay event.
"For me this will probably be my last Olympics," said the five-foot-three, 120-pound gymnast who packages explosive power in a compact body. "So carrying the flag . . . it's just a great way to end these Olympics."
Just competing in Beijing was a victory for Cockburn.
She tore cartilage in her right knee Oct. 27 while preparing for the 2007 world championship in Quebec City. It was the same knee she had surgery on 10 years earlier to repair ligament damage.
"With the time constraint it was tough to be back and get ready and in shape for these Games," said Cockburn. "After my event I was still in disbelief because it's been such a hard year for me to come back from an injury.
"I didn't even think I would be here . That's something I take great pride in. That's something that has made me a stronger person."
Looking back over her career, Cockburn said each Games had its own special moment.
"In Sydney it was the first time for trampoline,"'she said. "I felt like I was representing all the trampoliners before me that didn't have the opportunity for the Olympics. Athens was special because it was where the Olympics started and all the history there.
"Here, this one meant so much because of the journey I had to go through this year coming back from injury. That will be with me for a long time."
Cockburn isn't positive what direction her future will take. She hopes to compete for another couple of years but is pretty sure another Olympics isn't in the cards.
In December she married longtime boyfriend Mathieu Turgeon, a bronze medallist in men's trampoline at Sydney. Turgeon graduated from chiropractic school this year and the couple have moved into their first home.
Competing in trampoline has always been sort of a contradiction for Cockburn, who is afraid of heights. She couldn't walk out on the balcony of her eighth-storey room at the Olympic athletes village without quivering in fear.
Yet, she's fearless when competing.
"I think with trampoline you feel in control," she said. "You don't really have the feeling of falling. You're jumping, it's very different.
"I don't know why I'm scared of heights. I've been like that for a long time. It is kind of funny I do trampoline. I jump 20 feet in the air but to me it's really different."
Cockburn praised Chinese officials for the smooth way the Games operated. Hosting the Olympics will leave a lasting legacy in the country, she said.
"I think it's going to be great at the grassroots level for all the young children in China," she said. "You can tell how much the Chinese have enjoyed having the Games.
"I think it will help them keep excelling and be one of the top countries in sport."
Cockburn joins an exclusive group of athletes who have won medals in three consecutive Olympics. The list includes Phil Edwards in track and field in 1928, 1932 and 1936 (all bronze); Leslie Thompson-Willie in rowing in 1992, 1996 and 2000 (gold, silver, bronze); kayaker Caroline Brunet in 1996, 2000 and 2004 (two silver and a bronze); and diver Emilie Heymans 2000, 2004 and 2008 (silver, bronze, silver).
Kayaker Adam van Koeverden carried the flag for Canada during the opening ceremonies to honour his two-medal performance in Athens. Van Koeverden also won a silver medal in Beijing.
The chance she could be chosen the flag-bearer had crossed Cockburn's mind, but she was still surprised when told the honour was hers.
Canada won a total of 18 medals (three gold, nine silver, six bronze) at the Games.
"The athletes have had so much amazing success here and there were some supreme performances," said Cockburn. "I am very proud to be able to carry the flag on behalf of Team Canada."
