Maëlle Ricker received a second gold medal last week, but this time around it wasn't an Olympic medal, it was an honourary medal from her hometown of Squamish.
A week after becoming the first Canadian woman to win an Olympic gold medal on Canadian soil, snowboarder cross athlete Ricker and Squamish Olympic snowboarder cross athlete Rob Fagan dropped by the Whistler Canada Olympic House on Tuesday (Feb. 23) during an economic development conference co-hosted by the District of Squamish.
"I'd love to talk about the Sea to Sky Corridor," said Ricker after being prompted by Mayor Greg Gardner while at the podium.
"It's an absolutely amazing place to live. We do a lot of training out of Squamish year around. It's a perfect location - right in the heart of the mountains, right in between Whistler and Vancouver. The outdoor recreation is great and the arts and culture in the area is fantastic. I know all the athletes just love living there, having a great time and we're really thankful for all the support from the communities."
Ricker added she was thrilled that enthusiasm for the new Olympic event has grown.
"It's great to see how Canada has gotten behind the sport and how everybody is really excited about the Games."
Fagan, who landed fifth place in his event, also expressed his appreciation for the support he's gotten from Squamish.
"I've been in Squamish now for four years," he said. "I moved to Squamish because it has so much to offer, and I'm definitely going to keep on living here."
Fagan said the Olympics were far a better experience than he anticipated, and to see how locals got into the Games made them all the better.
"Pretty much any thoughts I had about the Olympics previous are blown out of the water for sure," he said. "This is amazing, especially for my hometown, to see everyone dressed up red - I love it. It's so exciting."
Mayor Greg Gardner presented the two athletes with honourary gold medals designed by a local Squamish Nation artist and thanked both for their dedication.
"What we do know, down deep is how much work and how many sacrifices you've made to get to be a competitor at this level," said Gardner. "Being in the world stage competing with the best in the world doesn't happen by accident. So I want to thank you all for the sacrifices you've made."
