Canadian Olympians returning from Rio
After more than two weeks of competition, Canada’s Olympians are headed home. Tomorrow through Wednesday, local medallists and participants from the Rio Games will be arriving at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport before jetting off to Calgary for a hero’s welcome. Calgary-based wrestling phenom Erica Wiebe won gold in women’s freestyle wrestling in the 75-kg weight class, and Allison Beveridge of Calgary won bronze in women’s team pursuit cycling. Crescent Heights High School alumnus Akeem Haynes also won bronze in the 4x100 metre relay. Beveridge will be arriving in Calgary at 10:14 a.m. on Tuesday, but Wiebe will be spending a few days in Ontario before making the trip back to Calgary on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Canadian athletes in Rio surpassed predictions on the podium, taking home four gold, three silver and 15 bronze medals. “Through it all, Albertans played an important role in making these Olympics one of the best for Canada in recent history,” said Ricardo Miranda, minister of culture and tourism. The Canadian Sport Institute Calgary will be hosting Wiebe and Beveridge on Aug. 31.