A Celebratory Afternoon with Sport Calgary: Honoring Olympians, Paralympians, and Sport Leaders

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Sport Calgary hosted a truly special evening at the picturesque Deane House Garden. This event was a celebration of the incredible achievements of Alberta’s 2024 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, who have not only represented Canada on the world stage but also trained and lived right here in Alberta. 

When the formal program began we were treated to a heartfelt Indigenous prayer, followed by greetings from Alberta’s Minister of Tourism and Sport, The Honourable Joseph Schow, alongside The Honourable Lois Mitchell and Calgary’s Mayor, Jyoti Gondek. Their words of encouragement and admiration for our athletes set the tone for the evening.

The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the panel discussion, titled “Sport - A Game Changer for Calgary.” This thought-provoking conversation featured Chad Jassman, a member of Canada’s Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team, Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski, Olympic Silver Medalist in Women’s Eight Rowing, and Bill McKeever, father and coach to Paralympians Brian and Robin McKeever. They shared their personal journeys, reflections on the Paris 2024 Games, and insights into how sport has shaped their lives and inspired communities around them. It was a powerful reminder of the transformative power of sport in creating opportunities, fostering resilience, and bringing people together.

Thank you to Sport Calgary for hosting this beautiful event and for continuing to support and foster a thriving sports culture in Calgary and across Canada. We look forward to more moments of celebration, connection, and sport in the future!