Staff
Every participant, official, spectator and volunteer who competed, monitored the scoreboard, watched a few events or even cooked hamburgers knew it was a tremendous achievement, and thanks to Wetaskiwin member of Parliament Blaine Calkins, every corner of Canada now knows how well-organized and flat-out fun the recent mini Olympics, Paralympics and Inuit Games were.
Last Monday Calkins rose in the House of Commons in Ottawa and paid high tribute to the participants and organizers of the event, which hosted by the Rimbey Elementary School on Feb. 24.
“Mr. Speaker: For two weeks in February, Canadians of all ages embraced the spirit of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Young people from coast to coast to coast dreamed of being Sidney Crosby, they learned a lesson in courage from Joannie Rochette and, we are all proud of our local champion, Melissa Hollingsworth,” Calkins told the other 307 MPs.
“Inspired by their heroes, 350 students from the Bentley, Crestomere, Bluffton and the Rimbey Christian and Elementary schools staged their own mini Olympics. To the delight of local residents, the Rimbey and area Olympic and Inuit Games began with a torch relay through the town.
“The auditorium of the Rimbey Community Centre became Canada House. Participants vied for medals in traditional events like hockey, curling, sledge hockey, snowshoeing. Sports that are part of the Inuit Games including the blanket toss and a high-kick competition added to the fun and excitement,” Calkins continued.
“The commitment, dedication, spirit and success of our athletes ignited our passion for sport and allowed the students at the Rimbey and area Olympic and Inuit Games to share in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games experience,” he said. “Now our focus has turned to the Paralympic games. Let’s all get behind our Paralympics athletes. Go Canada Go. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”