REGINA - The province gave its salute to the athletes, coaches and mission staff who represented both Saskatchewan and Canada in Paris at the Summer Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
There were 38 athletes, coaches, mission and support staff with Saskatchewan ties who went to Paris, and five of those athletes came home with medals. At the Olympics, Carissa Norsten took silver in Rugby 7s and Rylan Wiens took bronze in diving. At the Paralympics, bronze medals were won by Julie Kozun in sitting volleyball, Shelby Newkirk in para swimming and Keely Shaw in para cycling.
A number of Saskatchewan members of the team that went to Paris were at the Legislature Friday morning, where theentire Saskatchewan contingent was being formally recognized. The event was put on by the Government of Saskatchewan, Sask Sport and Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan.
Kenzie Priddell of Regina competed at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games as an artistic swimmer. She spoke of the challenges of competing out of a smaller Regina swim club.
“I knew this was my biggest dream and for sure there were many times when I didn’t think I would get there. Lots of tryouts that I failed, I didn’t make the national team for years … But I knew in my heart this was my dream, so I always say, like it’s kind of cliche, is keep believing in yourself because that’s truly the mantra that I used my whole life and also on the national team to get where I am today.”
Just being able to qualify for the Olympics was a big moment for her and her swim club teammates. “I remember the whole team just dropped to the floor, just crying, it was so much excitement. It was definitely one of the highlights my career, but then again, being in Paris, you get to be surrounded by not only your team, but all the other sports, Team Canada, all the other countries, get to experience the Olympic Games that you’ve been looking forward to for 15-20 years now and have that with my family and friends was just amazing.
Newkirk showed off the bronze medal she won for 100 backstroke at the Paralympic Games.
“It feels amazing, this is definitely a goal going into it,” said Newkirk. “Me and my coach have always said you can only control your own race. I can’t control what anybody else does. In my particular race the person that used to hold the world record got second and somebody new broke the world record. So you never know how fast people are going to go, but it was absolutely amazing to be able to touch the wall in third, and know that I’d given everything I could to be able to come home with a medal is huge.”
Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross praised the group for their accomplishments. She particularly was impressed with Newkirk.
“Here’s his young woman who is absolutely dedicated to achieving – – achieving the best she can be in the sport of swimming,” said Ross. “What was wonderful in her conversation with me is that she shared with me that her dad swims with her. So when we talk about support, yes, it’s important to have the funding, the coaches but also to,have to have those family members that really, for Shelby, to get in the pool beside her… when you have that support of family, friends and coaches it makes all the difference in the world.”
"Being a funding partner with Sask Lotteries, of course we are very proud of all the athletes, mission staff, coaching that were able to attend the Games," said Sask Sport Chair Luke Flegel. “No matter what the result was as part of the games, it’s a huge accomplishment making it to both the Olympic and Paralympic games that were hosted in Paris this year, and we’re just happy to support the athletes along the way."
