Two Olympians Return Home as Heroes Tour Winds Through Prince Edward Island
Special Celebrations for Hometown Heroes David MacEachern, Heather Moyse
On day three of the Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Heroes Tour presented by Atlantic Lottery, nine medal-winning athletes traverse the Confederation Bridge to P.E.I. for activities which include a hospital visit with young patients, special celebrations at City Hall, and a school visit in Summerside.
In Charlottetown, the day begins at Queen Elizabeth General Hospital where the Heroes Tour will bring excitement and energy to young patients, their family members, and hospital staff. The seven Olympians and two Paralympians, with medals in tow, present a unique experience for the children who will have a chance to chat and have their pictures taken with the athletes.
From there, the Heroes Tour reaches Charlottetown City Hall for a visit to Council Chambers, where athletes will sign the Mayor’s book. Tour athletes will be joined by Olympic champion bobsledder David MacEachern, who is set for induction into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Saturday in Moncton. MacEachern’s hometown of Charlottetown, with invited sport leaders from around the province, will host a reception and luncheon to honour him while the Canadian Olympic Committee in turn honours the city’s commitment to sport and physical activity.
Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee is pleased to host the Olympic Heroes, whom he calls ‘wonderful role models for the City’s youth.’ “These Olympic Heroes have made tremendous personal sacrifice and shown dedication, self-discipline and commitment to their sport,” Mayor Lee said. “They’ve made all Canadians proud and we’re happy they’ve decided to bring their excellence to Charlottetown City Hall.”
“It’s amazing for me not only to receive the highest honour in Canada for amateur sport, but be able to share the experience with my hometown,” said MacEachern, a three-time Olympian. “The Heroes Tour is such a great way to spread Olympic spirit around the Atlantic Provinces, and I’m excited to join the festivities here in Charlottetown.”
The Tour’s next stop is 70 kilometres away in Summerside, hometown of Heroes Tour Olympian Heather Moyse. Excitement is building for Moyse’s return to her alma mater, Summerside Intermediate School. There, 650 young students will assemble for an Olympic celebration with Moyse and fellow Heroes Tour athletes.
“I think it is so valuable for the COC to bring such excitement to grade school students, some of whom may be future Olympians,” said Moyse, a 2010 gold medallist in bobsleigh. “It seems like just yesterday I was walking the halls of Summerside Intermediate! I’m proud and excited to share my successes and those of the other athletes on Tour with my hometown.”
About the Canadian Olympic & Paralympic Heroes Tour presented by Atlantic Lottery
The Tour features Olympic medallists Denny Morrison (speed skating), Adam Kreek (rowing), Tania Vicent (short track speed skating), Kaillie Humphries (bobsleigh), Heather Moyse (bobsleigh), David Bissett (bobsleigh) and Chris Le Bihan (bobsleigh) and Paralympic medallists Greg Westlake (sledge hockey) and David Eng (wheelchair basketball). For four days, the athletes are touring the Atlantic Provinces, spreading Olympic spirit, inspiring personal excellence and celebrating not only national and local heroes, but the everyday hero within us.
In Halifax, St. John’s, Charlottetown, Summerside and Moncton, the Tour connects Olympians and Paralympians with students, community leaders, children in hospitals, members of the Canadian Forces and fans of the Canadian Olympic Team alike. It acts as a lead-in to the 2011 Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame Gala Dinner & Induction Ceremony presented by Procter & Gamble on April 16 in Moncton.
