Speedskater Makowsky gets hero's welcome in Regina
Last Updated: Monday, March 29, 2010 | 12:59 PM CT
CBC News
Olympic gold medallist Lukas Makowsky encourages students at the Regina elementary school he used to attend to pursue their dreams. (CBC)Olympic gold medal-winning speedskater Lucas Makowsky was welcomed back to his alma mater by wildly cheering students who filled the Regina school's gymnasium on Friday.
Makowsky trains in Calgary but has been adopted as a local hero by students at Wilfred Walker Elementary School, which he attended.
The youngsters have raised money to support his training and followed his every move at last month's Olympic Games in Vancouver, where he won a gold medal in men's team pursuit.
Makowsky, 22, said he plans to keep up the relationship with the school.
"Believe in yourself," Makwosky told the students. "It's never too early to dream big … even if you don't have those dreams now. I didn't have those Olympic dreams until I was out of elementary school.
"So, dream big, and you never know what can happen."
The school has created a Makowsky Award to reward students who demonstrate their own personal best.
The first recipients will be announced at an assembly in June.
Share Tools
Latest Saskatchewan News Headlines
- Highway crash near Estevan kills 1
- One person has died and two others are in hospital after two vehicles collided on Highway 39 northwest of Estevan, Sask., late Saturday night. more »
- MS patient advocates for better follow-up care
- Michelle Walsh, a Saskatchewan woman with multiple sclerosis, is pushing for clinics at home that can follow up on current therapies. more »
- Culinary pros visit Saskatoon
- Members of the national Junior Culinary Team are in Saskatoon for a special event to hone their skills and share their expertise with up and coming chefs. more »
- First time on skates
- An English-language class enjoyed a uniquely Canadian field trip Saturday: donning skates at a local outdoor rink, many for the first time. more »
Top News Headlines
- Greece passes new austerity deal amid rioting
- Greek lawmakers have approved harsh new austerity measures demanded by bailout creditors to save the debt-crippled nation from bankruptcy, after riots in Athens and other cities left stores looted and burned and more than 120 people hurt. more »
- Quebec town 'heartbroken' after killing of woman, sisters
- A small Quebec town is in mourning Sunday after a Quebec man was charged with killing his nieces and his mother, who were found dead in their family home. more »
- Hit and run victim's family fears accused will walk
- The family of a young mother killed in a hit and run is outraged that the case against the alleged driver is among thousands in B.C. at risk of being thrown out because of a huge court backlog. more »
- Neil Macdonald: The death penalty debate America isn't having
- Texas's death row archive is a troubling document, not the least for what it doesn't say about those who may be wrongfully convicted, Neil Macdonald writes. more »
- Highway crash near Estevan kills 1
- Suspect in Fort Qu'Appelle homicide arrested
- Brawl at house party sends 3 to hospital
- MS patient advocates for better follow-up care
- Culinary pros visit Saskatoon
- First time on skates
- Man stabbed to death in Fort Qu'Appelle, Sask.
- Regina mayor to reveal if he will run again
- Thin ice warnings don't deter some
Enter to win 'Jamie's Valentine's Day Contest'!
