Lisa Weagle named Team Canada’s Chef de Mission for Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games
CALGARY (March 1, 2023) – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) has announced two-time Olympian in curling, Lisa Weagle, as Team Canada’s Chef de Mission for the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games. The announcement was made at the Canadian Sport Institute Calgary on Wednesday.
“Having experienced two Olympic Games as an athlete, I knew that I wanted to pay it forward one day and be part of the Mission Team,” said Weagle. “In many ways it feels like I’m coming full circle, returning to the place where I had my first Olympic experience. My goal as Chef de Mission is to be there for the team in whatever capacity I can, whether it’s cheering on from the stands, joining in to celebrate a medal or personal best, offering support in a difficult moment, and helping create a safe, supportive environment for athletes to achieve their potential.”
Weagle was a member of Team Canada’s women’s curling teams at both PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022. The Ottawa resident also represented Canada at three World Curling Championships, winning gold in 2017, silver in 2014 and bronze in 2013.
As Gangwon 2024 Chef de Mission, Weagle will serve as mentor, supporter, and cheerleader for Team Canada, both in the lead up to and during the Games. Athletes in Gangwon will be competing in many of the same venues that were used for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, where Weagle made her Olympic debut.
“We are thrilled to have Lisa lead this Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Team,” said Eric Myles, Chief Sport Officer of the Canadian Olympic Committee. “She embodies our Team Canada values of accountability, bravery, excellence, fun, and respect and is a wonderful role model for these young athletes, the next generation of Team Canada.”
Weagle is no stranger to mentoring and coaching athletes. She was part of Team Canada’s coaching team for Brett Gallant and Jocelyn Peterman at the 2022 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship and coached for Team Kaitlyn Lawes at last week’s 2023 National Women’s Curling Championship. She works as a coaching consultant with Curling Canada’s National Wheelchair Curling Program and NextGen Program, including supporting Emily Deschenes, who represented Canada at the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games. Weagle also mentors student-athletes through her volunteer work on the board of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.
As Weagle embarks on the next phase of her Olympic journey, this time leading a Youth Olympic Team, she shares some words of encouragement: “To these young athletes I say: Choose to enjoy the moment. Embrace the rollercoaster of emotions you’re sure to feel. Try your hardest, show gratitude. Embody the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship. Connect with others, make friends, and have fun. Take pride in representing Canada. This is the experience of a lifetime, so soak it all in.”
The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) are the world’s largest multi-sport event for high-performance young athletes aged 15 – 18. Gangwon 2024 will begin on January 19 and will end on February 1, 2024 and will feature 1900 athletes. Gangwon 2024 will be the fourth edition of the Winter YOG and the first in Asia. It will have a fully gender-balanced sporting program, and will feature seven sports, 15 disciplines, and a total of 81 events.
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