The official national homecoming parade for Canada's Summer Olympians and Paralympians from London 2012 took place last weekend in Toronto and hit a surprisingly emotive chord with large and appreciative crowds in what can sometimes be a jaded populace in this nation's largest city.
Now, it's time for some West Coast-flavoured Olympic recognition today at Centennial Square from 12: 30 to 2 p.m. with the public invited to meet many of the Island athletes who competed in London.
People can talk to and get pictures taken with London medallists such as swimmers Ryan Cochrane and Brianna Nelson, rower Andrew Byrnes and cyclist Gillian Carleton, among numerous other London Olympians and Paralympians. There will be sports activities, music and autograph sessions in the event hosted by the City of Victoria, municipality of Saanich, Canadian Sports Centre Pacific and the Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence. Among those on hand will be Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin.
What made the Toronto national Olympic homecoming event so endearing was its focus on children, and that's the theme being taken today as well in Victoria with school groups coming down to the square.
"The Olympics happen on such a massive scale, that giving back to communities so kids can relate to the Games, is a big part of being an Olympian," said London Games beach volleyball player and former Camosun College star Martin Reader of Comox, among the Island athletes who took part in the Toronto parade.
"It's really important for us Olympians to be ambassadors for sport and to bring the Olympics back to our respective communities to inspire the next generation to get active and play and to show what is attainable," said Reader, who will be spreading that message in the Comox Valley when he returns home next week.
"The response to that message was tremendous in Toronto. That two-kilometre parade had up to 200,000 people. When we got to [Air Canada Centre], the focus was all on the kids. It was such a larger happening than I anticipated."
The province is also planning an event for next month, likely in Vancouver, to honour B.C.'s London Olympians and Paralympians.
