Vancouver Celebrates London Athletes
VANCOUVER – The Mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robertson, paid tribute Tuesday to the Vancouver athletes who took part in the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games at a special ceremony and luncheon at City Hall.
“In a community like ours, with such deep roots in sport, our Olympians remind us of what is possible,” said Robertson. “These athletes are an inspiration to Vancouver and to all of Canada, in every aspect of their achievement. We are so grateful and proud to have Vancouver represented on the Olympic stage with such world-class talent.”
“The City of Vancouver is a huge member Canadian Olympic family,” said Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut. “There is a true passion for sport and for hometown athletes. The Canadian Olympic Team felt this in London. It’s important to remember that support today.”
Soccer bronze medallist Karina Leblanc, of Maple Ridge, BC, shared her gratitude for this support.
“One of the reasons I love Vancouver is that it is filled with people who are passionate about sport,” she said. “When we arrived at the airport after flying home from London, I was caught speechless and in tears because of the support from the hundreds of people who waited hours to greet us. They made us feel like true champions. To this day, the support continues to be incredible and today I am so honored that I am here to be able to say thank you.”
Teammate, Vancouver native and wrestler Arjan Bhullar agreed.
“It feels incredible to be recognized like this in Vancouver,” he said. The fans and community here are so supportive. We all felt that during the Games in London and today it truly does hit home.”
Other athletes honoured Tuesday included: Scott Dickens, Swimming 2004, 2012, Darcy Marquardt, Silver Medallist, Rowing, 2004, 2008, 2012, Richard Hortness, Swimming, 2008, 2012, Monica Peterson, Fencing, 2012, Thomas Gossland, Swimming, 2012, Hunter Lowden, Sailing, 2012, Nikola Girke, Sailing, 2012, Karina Leblanc, Bronze Medallist, Soccer, 2012, Jessica Smith, Athletics, 2012, Arjan Bhullar, Wrestling, 2012, Lauren Wilkinson, Silver Medallist, Rowing, 2012, Laura Brown, Cycling, 2012, Heather MacLean, Swimming, 2012, Tera Van Beilen, Swimming, 2012, Donavan Tildesley, Swimming, 2012, 2008 (bronze), 2004 (2 silver, 1 bronze), 2000 (bronze), Ahmad Zeividavi, Goalball, 2012, 2008, Richard Peter, Gold Medallist, Wheelchair Basketball, 2012, 2008 (silver), 2004 (gold), 2000 (gold), Ashlie Andrews, Goalball, 2012, Doug Ripley, Goalball, 2012, Scott Patterson, Para-Swimming, 2012, 2006, 2002 (bronze, alpine), 1988 (athletics), Nathan Stein, Silver Medallist, Swimming, 2012, Ian Chan, Silver Medallist, Wheelchair Rugby, 2012, 2008 (bronze), 2004 (silver), 2000, Trevor Hirschfield, Silver Medallist, Wheelchair Rugby, 2012, 2008 (bronze), Fabien Lavoie, Silver Medallist, Wheelchair Rugby, 2012, 2008 (bronze), 2004 (silver), Travis Murao, Silver Medallist, Wheelchair Rugby, 2012.
