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Flame lit to officially open Ontario Winter Games

'This is a dream come true,' says flag bearer Stephen Graham

As hand drummer Thomas Harrigan of Rama First Nation played a traditional Ojibway welcome song, Ethan Franzen, Jessica Stockdale and Ryker Jacobs carried lit torches through a throng of athletes and fans and lit the cauldron to officially open the Ontario Winter Games Thursday night.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I now declare the 2018 Ontario Winter Games officially open,” said Daiene Vernile, Ontario’s Minister of Tourism Culture and Sport.

Prior to that declaration, more than 3,000 athletes, managers and coaches, divided into the 25 sports to be contested at the four-day competition, had marched into the grounds of Couchiching Beach Park in an impressive ceremony that mirrored the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

The athletes were led into the park by flagbearer Stephen Graham of Orillia, one of the most decorated Special Olympics athletes in Canada. “This is an incredible honour for me,” an elated Graham said. “It’s a dream come true.”

As he looked out over the massive crowd of athletes and spectators and coaches and volunteers, Graham was in awe. “I have never seen so many people in one place in Orillia in my life,” he said.

And he was right. “This is the largest sporting event in our city’s history and you are a part of it,” a jubilant Mayor Steve Clarke told the crowd. “We applaud the organizing committee, chaired by Gill Tillmann, her incredible volunteers and look forward to an amazing weekend.”

Clarke also lauded the athletes for their hard work. “Athletes should be congratulating themselves for competing at this level,” he said. “I truly believe you will learn many life lessons from participating in sports in general and, certainly, in competitive sports.”

Vernile concurred. “As I look out here tonight at these 12- to 18-year-old athletes, I know that among you we have our future Olympians,” she said to rousing applause. “Please dare to dream of a spot on the podium.”

She said in the wake of Canada’s most successful Winter Olympics, which wrapped up a week ago, many believe “Canada is becoming an Olympic powerhouse. Many athletes who competed at the Winter Olympics stood where you are standing now. They marched in an opening ceremony just like you did tonight. Some moved on to the Canada Games and the very best continued on their journey to the Olympics,” she said. “I urge you to use these games to fuel your dreams for future success.”

While the mayor applauded the athletes, he also took time to thank the volunteers who he said are critical to the success of the massive event.

“In 2016, the City of Orillia won the Cooperative Community Award for being the most giving, caring, philanthropic, volunteer community in the province and that is demonstrated by the 800 volunteers we have working these games,” he said.

After the parade of athletes, the official remarks, the recitation of the athlete’s oath and the official’s oath, the lighting of the cauldron ended the formal part of the evening. However, it didn’t conclude the event as well-known Canadian alt-rock band Bleeker – who hails from Orillia – thrilled the crowd with an upbeat set. A spectacular fireworks display capped the night.

Although many sports have already started, action begins in earnest tomorrow and most won’t wrap up until medal ceremonies are completed on Sunday.


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Dave Dawson

About the Author: Dave Dawson

Dave Dawson is community editor of OrilliaMatters.com
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