TORONTO, Ont. – Canada’s Olympic champions have been given new honours — on top of their Olympic hardware.
The Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012 was officially inducted on Friday, welcoming Olympic champions Beckie Scott (cross-country skiing), Daniel Igali (wrestling) and Jean-Luc Brassard (freestyle skiing).
The gala event at the Air Canada Centre posthumously honoured freestyle ski pioneer Sarah Burke.
Earlier Friday, 200 of Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes took part in a lunch-hour parade, in the city’s downtown core, greeting thousands of cheering fans along Bay Street.
“It’s very encouraging and really deeply touching,” Canadian chef de mission Mark Tewksbury said. “I’ve had a few tears well up already. Look at me, I’m losing my voice. It’s been great.”
Trampoline star Rosie MacLennan was thrilled with the energy and excitement of Canadians proud of their athletes.
“It’s been amazing to be able come back home and see the amount of support that we had when we were competing,” she said.
Marching bands were mixed in with the floats during the parade, which finished outside Air Canada Centre.
Team Canada finished in the13th spot overall at the 2012 Games, just short of the top-12 finish goal set by “Own the Podium.”
Olympic ski legend and gold medallist Jean-Luc Brassard was inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012.
Sarah Burke, was posthumously enshrined on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012. Her parents and husband were on stage to accept her induction in the builder category.
Chef de Mission Mark Tewksbury high-fives fans along Olympic parade route in Toronto, September 21, 2012
Wrestler Tonya Verbeek, wearing her 2012 silver medal at the Olympic parade in Toronto, September 21, 2012
Fans along the Olympic parade route in Toronto, September 21, 2012
Brent Hayden, who won the 2012 bronze medal in swimming at the 2012 Olympic Games, signs autographs in Toronto, September 21, 2012
Paralympian and basketball gold medalist Richard Peter at the Olympic parade in Toronto, September 21, 2012
Young fans take in the Olympic parade in Toronto, September 21, 2012
Olympic Heroes Parade parade route in Toronto, Ont.
Canadian gold medalist trampoline gymnast Rosie MacLennan at the Olympic parade in Toronto, September 21, 2012
Bronze medalist weightlifter Christine Girard poses for a photo with a fan at the Olympic parade in Toronto on September 21, 2012
Canada’s Olympic champions inducted into Hall of Fame
Kevin Misener, 680News staff, and The Canadian Press
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