Saskatchewan’s Olympic and Paralympic Teams Honored by Province
The province of Saskatchewan has recently recognized and honored the athletes who represented the province in the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
The ceremony, held at the Saskatchewan Legislature, was attended by Premier Scott Moe, Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport Laura Ross, and representatives from the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees.
Premier Moe expressed his pride and admiration for the athletes, stating, “These athletes have shown incredible dedication, determination, and skill in representing our province and our country on the world stage. They have made us all proud and have inspired future generations of athletes.”
The Saskatchewan Olympic and Paralympic teams consisted of 14 athletes, including 10 Olympians and 4 Paralympians. These athletes competed in a variety of sports, including swimming, track and field, and wheelchair basketball.
Among the athletes recognized were gold medalists Kelsey Mitchell and Erica Wiebe, who won in track cycling and wrestling, respectively. Other notable athletes included wheelchair basketball player Nik Goncin, who won a silver medal, and swimmer Shelby Newkirk, who set a new Canadian record in the 100m backstroke.
Minister Ross also commended the athletes, stating, “These athletes have not only achieved incredible success in their respective sports, but they have also served as ambassadors for our province and have shown the world what Saskatchewan is capable of.”
The ceremony also included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque that will be displayed at the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame to honor the athletes’ achievements.
In addition to recognizing the athletes, the province also announced a $50,000 investment in the Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan to support high-performance athletes in the province.
The athletes expressed their gratitude for the recognition and support from their home province. They also shared their experiences and memories from the Games, highlighting the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and representing Canada on the world stage.
The ceremony concluded with a round of applause for the athletes and a message of encouragement for future athletes from Premier Moe, who stated, “We are proud of our athletes and we look forward to seeing more Saskatchewan athletes competing and succeeding at the highest level in the future.”
