It was a big year for Canadian athletes with a new national record for gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics to a Yukon high-schooler who developed a ski wax algorithm to enhance competitive performance and a father-son duo that sailed 1,200 kilometres.
Here are highlights of just some of the inspirational
Kelowna’s Jerome Blake achieves childhood dream – and Olympic gold
Jerome Blake was “over the moon” after he and his 4×100 relay teammates won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in August. It was the country’s first gold medal in the 4×100 since 1996 in Atlanta.
“Every kid grows up dreaming of winning a gold medal, especially in a sport where the pinnacle is Olympic gold,” Blake said. “For me, it’s something that’s unforgettable, that’s for sure.” Read more.
Yukon teen develops ski wax algorithm to enhance competitive performance
After a ban on fluorinated ski waxes, Yukon high-schooler Sitka Land-Gillis decided to develop a piece of software that determines the best wax alternative based on snow conditions.
Land-Gillis’ project became a finalist in the Youth Innovation Showcase competition. Read more.
Vernon youth overcoming hockey barriers with help
A program for kids from low-income families, who might not be able to afford hockey, returned to Vernon for a second year.
The program is the brainchild of Hockey 4 Youth, which is sponsored by the Canucks for Kids Fund and Canadian Tire Jumpstart charity, in which hockey gear and ice time are covered for the kids, breaking down a massive barrier. Read more.
Third time’s a charm: Chilliwack sailing team finally finishes 1,200-km race
It took three tries, but a father-son team from Chilliwack finally finished a 1,200-kilometre ‘engineless’ boat race from Washington State to Alaska in June in a pedal-powered, dual-propeller sailboat. Read more.
Surrey teen runner is on a record-setting path
Surrey teen Yemane Mulugeta already holds multiple Canadian records for running in his U20 age group, with goals of more gold at track and cross-country events to come.
No question, the accomplishments are many and impressive for the teen, who got involved in the sport just a few years ago, not long after arriving in Canada as a refugee from war-torn Eritrea. Read more.
Kelowna woman wins worlds longest off-road bike race
After riding for 15 days and 23 hours, through rain, snow and mud, Kelowna’s Meaghan Hackinen touched the US border sign in New Mexico, solidifying her place in Tour Divide history books. Read more.
In Kaslo, Canada’s 1st woman skateboard champ kick pushes out of obscurity
Over 40 years removed from her skateboarding career, PJ McKenzie now lives in Kaslo where she recently retired after running a local restaurant with her husband for three decades.
Few in her personal life know McKenzie, born Pam Judge, was Canada’s first women’s skateboarding champion and a pioneer of the sport. McKenzie didn’t even tell her daughter she used to skateboard until she was 16. Read more.
Underdog to top dog: Saanich volleyball team snaps 30-year drought
Mount Douglas Secondary’s senior boys volleyball team won the Vancouver Island AAA Championship at Colwood’s Royal Bay Secondary School on Nov. 16. Significantly, it marked the Rams’ ninth Island title, the most of any school on the Island, surpassing Oak Bay’s eight championships and ending their 30-year drought.
“It’s quite stunning, we played incredibly well,” said head coach Chris Yee. Read more.
Canadian Olympic swimmer makes a splash in Williams Lake
It isn’t everyday you get the opportunity to meet an Olympic team member, but some Williams Lake swimmers not only met one, they got coaching and advice from one.
Blue Fins were in the pool with Ingrid Wilm, Canadian Olympic team swimmer and World Cup Aquatics bronze medal winner. Wilm competed in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and recently brought home bronze from the World Cup Aquatics. Read more.
Prince Rupert mixed martial artist wins Montreal bantam-weight bout
Robert McConnell’s long journey east ended with success, beating his competitor in the third round. Read more.
After mental health battles, Abbotsford wrestler re-enters the ring at Agrifair
For years, Abbotsford’s Clint Istace could be found either working as a prison guard or in the squared circle as a pro wrestler known as Rage.
He faced typical and often atypical battles in both jobs, but discovered the true war he was having was with himself. Read more.
Olympic champion Katzberg receives hero’s welcome in Nanaimo
A golden boy from Nanaimo returned to the city where he grew up to celebrate his Olympic triumph.
Ethan Katzberg won Canada’s first gold medal in hammer throw at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris with a throw of 84.12 metres Aug. 4. Read more.
Surrey’s Sebastian Massabie returns to Canada with Paris gold
A South Surrey-based Para swimmer is on his way back to Canada on Cloud Nine, after a stunning gold-medal win at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Sebastian Massabie also smashed a world record after swimming to his gold-medal victory – also Canada’s first-ever medal in the S4 sport class – in the men’s S4 50-m freestyle event. Read more.
From Red Deer to the MLB: Flewelling family bursting with pride
It’s been a long road for Red Deer’s Nathan Flewelling.
One that took plenty of hard work, and sacrifice, but with his family’s support his dreams of one day playing in Major League Baseball are one step closer. Read more.
Kaslo woman represents Canada at World Transplant Winter Games
Colleen Tilley was among seven Canadians to take part in the World Transplant Winter Games, which ran March 3 to 6 in Bormio, Italy. The 12th annual Games are held to honour organ donors and their families. Read more.
Rimbey’s Gladys Wilson wins gold in Scrabble at Canada 55+ Games
The 86-year-old Gladys Wilson finally nabbed a gold medal after her fifth time at the 55+ Games. Wilson said it felt, “pretty darn nice,” to win the gold medal. Read more.
Surrey teen remembered for the mark he left on gymnastics community
Five hundred gymnasts at a Surrey meet honoured pair who died 40 years apart: Luke Van & Carol Lenz. Read more.
There were many more inspirational sports stories from our Black Press Media teams across Canada. Here are a few more:
• Who won what at the Lost in Paradise Para Snowboard World Cup in Whitehorse
• Oh brother, what a series – Vernon siblings’ teams in NHL conference final
• Shalaya Valenzuela shares her journey to Olympics at Character Abbotsford event
• Fuelled by ‘happiness’, Okanagan runner wins 2nd consecutive ultramarathon
• After racist remark, Surrey goalie savours ball hockey gold with Team Canada
• Vernon’s Goldstein top female finisher at gruelling Trans Am Bike Race
• Abbotsford’s Cade Smith impresses in MLB debut with Cleveland
• Memory of ‘extraordinary’ Vernon man lives on in trap shoot
