City of Edmonton Honours Paralympians & Olympians
March 30 in Winston Churchill Square, at noon, the city of Edmonton honoured 18 Paralympic and Olympic athletes as well as team Canada staff members who attended the 2010 Paralympic and Olympic Games. There were approximately 600 spectators who chose to share their lunch hour with Edmonton's best of the best.
There were 11 Olympians on stage, including gold-medal winners such as Paralympic skier Viviane Forest and men's curling team skip Kevin Martin, Shannon Szabados, goalie for the women's championship hockey team,along with seven coaches, massage therapists and other support staff.
One highlight of the event was the city's recognition of Olympic Order recipient Bob Steadward, founding president of the International Paralympic Committee.
Forest, who won a gold, three silver and a bronze, said the celebration helped take her mind off the physio she's receiving for a raft of injuries. "It's great to go back and feel Edmonton behind us, and know you did good."
Viviane was also mentioned as a multiple Paralympic Gold Medalist from 2 summer and these 2010 winter games. She was also mentioned as one of Canada's few multiple medalists at the 2010 games.
Many friends had not seen Viviane since her return from Whistler so ti was a great opportunity for Vi to shake hands, sign autographs, and catch up with Edmontonians.