Proving that the Olympic momentum still hasn't waned, more than 100 rain-soaked residents lined Cleveland Avenue on a rainy Saturday morning (April 17), eager to cheer on the seven Olympians and Paralympians who call Squamish home.
Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre, Mayor Greg Gardner and Squamish Nation members lead the convoy, which wound into the downtown O'Siem Pavilion Park with the guest of honour athletes in tow close behind.
Squamish Nation Coun. Josh Joseph kicked off the soggy celebration with a traditional prayer and drum circle.
"[We're] gathered here to celebrate an event that just happened - I call it the world's largest potlatch - that we just had a couple of months ago," said Joseph.
With a gold medal around her neck, Squamish's snowboard cross racer Maëlle Ricker thanked the community and encouraged everyone to try snowboard cross.
"It sort of combines a lot of skills, from ski racing to snowboard racing to free style to free ride, it's great fun and definitely worth a try."
Acting MC Aleisha Cline, a former ski cross Olympian, world champion and Squamish resident, introduced Paralympian Matt Hallat has one of the hardest-training athletes she's ever seen.
"I see him in the gym and when everyone else is taking a break, he's givin' 'er every single time, so any inspiration you need this is the guy."
The two time Paralympic alpine standing ski racer said he was pleased with his 11th place finish at the 2010 Games because placed further back at the Turin Games, in 31st place.
"It was great to have it in Canada. The Paralympics got huge exposure which was great for me, my team mates and the Paralympic sport in general."
Olympic half pipe snowboarder Sarah Conrad has lived in Squamish for four years and finished 18th in the 2010 Olympic Games, fourth in the FIS World Cup in Quebec and second in the Canadian Open held in Calgary earlier this year.
Snowboard cross athlete Rob Fagan said he would have like to have placed higher than he did in the Games but he's still pleased with his season.
"I came in fifth so not really where I wanted to go [but] I can't be too sad," he said.
Although Fagan, like most athletes travels a lot, he said he loves Squamish when he has the time to be here.
"How can you not love this place? There's so much to do recreational-wise and just living-wise. It's a beautiful city."
Half pipe snowboarder Justin Lamoureux set a Canadian record with his seventh place finish at the Winter Games before finishing his year off by winning the World Cup championship.
Biathlete Megan Tandy, who recently married her high performance athlete coach iLmar Heinicke, said she had an awesome year, a great Olympic experience and broke many personal best records.
"One of the coolest parts about my Olympic experience was I was racing biathlon up at the Callaghan and I seriously felt like I knew half the volunteers - that was awesome."
Ski cross athlete Davey Barr said he didn't really have too much time to prepare for the course he skied at the Games because he only found out the night prior to his event that he would be skiing at all.
"For what it was, I'm quite happy with sixth place."
McIntyre said she's very proud of each of the athletes and commended everyone on their dedication.
"This is Canada's future, right here. The discipline, the skill, the perseverance and dedication to their sport to reach the pinnacle in the world is an amazing accomplishment."
Squamish Arts Council (SAC) president Krisztina Egyed presented all seven of the Olympic and Paralympic athletes with personalized commissioned art from Sea to Sky artists and athletes autographed commemorative souvenir posters.
And finally, Best of Squamish athletes, including senior ultra marathon runner Mae Palm, cross country mountain biker Neal Kindree, skeleton racer Michelle Bartleman and downhill mountain bike racer Miranda Miller were recognized for their outstanding athletic contributions to the community.
Gardner said he's proud to have great role models living in Squamish.
"The reason we're here today is to celebrate people who have worked hard, over come obstacles and strove for excellence and have been a role model for all of us in the country, in the world."
