Prince George, BC - Two-time bronze medalist Meryeta O’Dine arrived to a hero’s welcome at Prince George Airport today, as the City of Prince George announced it will be hosting a Olympic celebration on February 26.
The City will be honouring O’Dine, the first Prince George resident ever to win an Olympic medal, and all Prince George’s athletes and Olympians during the event called Prince George’s Olympic Celebration. The event will be held in Canada Games Plaza on February 26 starting at 1:00pm. The event will feature music, local food, opportunities to meet local Olympians, and other festivities.
“In a few short weeks, Meryeta’s name has been celebrated throughout the city and across the country for her achievement of not one but two Olympic medals, but also for the incredible determination, skill, and athleticism she displayed in front of the whole world,” says Mayor Hall. “On behalf of Council and the residents of Prince George, it is my pleasure to invite the community to Prince George’s Olympic Celebration. Let’s celebrate the achievements of Ms. O’Dine and all of our athletes, and the competitive spirit of Canada and Prince George.”
Last week, O’Dine claimed the first-ever Olympic medal won by a Prince George resident by capturing the bronze in the individual women’s snowboard cross event at the Beijing Olympics. On Friday, O’Dine partnered with Eliot Grondin of Sainte-Marie, Quebec to take home another bronze in the mixed team snowboard cross, one of seven new events at this year’s Olympics. During the event, one of her opponents crashed into her and O’Dine and had to clamber part of the way to the finish line to claim the medal for Canada.
The City will communicate additional details about the event in the days to come.