Ashleigh McIvor-DeMerit, who won ski cross gold at the 2010 Olympic Games, became interested in soccer after watching the Vancouver Whitecaps' first MLS season opener. She later married former Whitecap Jay DeMerit. (Craig MacEwen/For Postmedia News)

VANCOUVER — There is something very special about representing your country on the world stage — an immense sensation of pride that is magnified even more when the event is being held in your own country.

Olympic gold-medallist Ashleigh McIvor-DeMerit knows the feeling well, having won the women’s ski cross event at the 2010 Games. It’s something the Canadian women’s soccer team will experience firsthand this summer when they play host to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“There was a lot of talk about pressure during the Vancouver Games,” McIvor-DeMerit says. “Although in my opinion, the Own the Podium initiative alleviated the pressure for me. I knew I had been given every opportunity to be in a position to go out there and have success and from what I understand, the women’s soccer team has also been very well supported going into this World Cup.”

McIvor-DeMerit knows a thing or two about the beautiful game. Her love affair with the sport took root when she connected with Jay DeMerit, a former U.S. national team player who was then captain of the Vancouver Whitecaps. Since meeting and subsequently marrying the centre back, McIvor-DeMerit’s soccer learning curve has been extremely steep.

“I guess the season opener in the first year the Whitecaps were part of the MLS was my first real game that I actually went to watch. I was kind of hooked from there on, although some of it may have had a little bit to do with Jay,” she recalls with a laugh. “But it’s been really cool to learn the game.”

Learning to live with her husband in a state of transition has opened up a lot of exciting opportunities for this power couple. McIvor-DeMerit retired from competitive racing in the fall of 2012, while her husband hung up his boots for good last July. Both have enjoyed travelling the globe together and talking to people about the power of sport and the power of soccer.

“With the Women’s World Cup coming here it will have a big positive impact on the kids of Vancouver and Canada, especially the girls,” McIvor-DeMerit predicts.

“Hopefully they are able to get out and watch in person … I know sometimes it just takes one pat on the back from your sporting hero to really set the wheels in motion. Often the kids may have a chat with (the players) or have a connection with them over social media that will inspire the girls to pursue their passions and dreams.”

Growing up in Whistler, B.C., McIvor-DeMerit was inspired by the local ski community although, admittedly, a lot of those role models were men. Of course, things are different these days, as young girls can look up to a ski cross star like McIvor-DeMerit or a soccer power like Christine Sinclair when searching for a positive female example.

“It’s inspiring for young girls to see the women doing so well,” McIvor-DeMerit says.

“So it’s really neat that this is kind of the first couple of generations where the female athletes have such powerful role models to look up to, who have had success and have been able to make a career out of it in some cases.”

She hopes the women’s soccer team will be able to take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play on the game’s biggest stage, in their home country, in front of their own fans, as she was able to do five years ago.

Own the Podium will help. Created in the lead-up to the 2010 Olympics to help medal-calibre athletes like McIvor-DeMerit fulfil their potential, the program has continued since Vancouver. The women’s soccer team will receive $2.25 million through the program to offset training costs in 2014-15.

McIvor-DeMerit also believes national team coach John Herdman will have the team well-prepared; she applauds his tireless work ethic, and the pride and passion he’s instilled in the Canadian soccer program.

“I hope (the Canadian women’s team) can find energy and feel like people have come out there because they want them to do well genuinely and it’s not because of unrealistic expectations,” McIvor-DeMerit said. “Expectations are high because they are a strong team and they have had good support.”