Canada’s Olympic champions inducted into Hall of Fame
Posted September 21, 2012 11:28 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
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.”
