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Published Dec 29, 2024 • Last updated 0 minutes ago • 2 minute read
Looking back on the high points for this country over the past year, the Olympic Games come to mind. Against the backdrop of all the pageantry and all the artistry Paris could muster, Canadians shone. It was a time to show off the talent of so many people, from coast to coast.
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The first Canadian performer who made us proud wasn’t an athlete. Celine Dion’s stunning rendition of Edith Piaf’s classic Hymne a l’Amour was magnificent. It was all the more remarkable, given that Dion had been out of the spotlight for four years as she battled a rare auto-immune disease. She lifted our spirits and set the stage for a brilliantly successful Olympics for Canadian athletes.
Swimmer Summer McIntosh, recently voted athlete of the year by Postmedia and female athlete of the year by Canadian Press, picked up an astonishing four medals — three gold and one silver. And she was just 17 at the time. She was modest and gracious and made us all proud as she stood atop the podium. At the recent World Swimming Championships, McIntosh took three golds, a silver and a bronze medal; World Aquatics named her swimmer of the year.
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Our Olympic men’s track 4×400-metre relay team ran a spectacular race to win gold. Andre de Grasse, running the anchor leg, showed his grit and endurance. But it was overwhelmingly a team effort. The Canadians worked together to show they had the talent and skill to beat the best of the world in a thrilling race.
There were other triumphs. Ethan Katzberg, voted Canadian Press male athlete of the year, won gold in the hammer throw, as did Camryn Rogers. Katie Vincent won canoeing gold and Christa Deguchi won gold in judo.
At a time of global turmoil, with wars happening on two continents and a gloomy geopolitical environment, there’s not always a lot to cheer about. It was a joy for all of us when we found a spirit of determination and courage in a new generation of trailblazing Canadians. They made us all proud.
As we look forward to the new year, we do so in the hope and anticipation that we’ll see more great things from young Canadians in all walks of life in 2025.
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