The region’s Olympians are preparing to go up against the best in the world, and maybe Nanaimo can help give them an Olympic-sized sendoff. PacificSport, a provincial sports body, is organizing an event called Liftoff to London this Thursday (June 21) at Diana Krall Plaza.
Current and former Olympic and Paralympic athletes will be there to meet fans, and people will be encouraged to scrawl well-wishes on Canadian flags that will be sent to London.
Nanaimo swimmer Tommy Gossland and Nanoose high jumper Mike Mason will be competing in the Olympics and Nanaimo rower Tony Theriault and Nanoose wheelchair racer Michelle Stilwell will be competing at the Paralympic Games.
Other mid-Island athletes going to London are Comox distance runner Cam Levins, Parksville wheelchair rugby player Trevor Hirschfield and Duncan wheelchair basketball player Richard Peter.
“These athletes have accomplished so much already and are such an inspiration to our society especially in their local towns,” said Drew Cooper, PacificSport GM, in a press release.
Thursday’s event starts at 11 a.m.