Jon Montgomery of Russell, Man., celebrates his gold medal win in the men's skeleton competition at the 2010 Olympics in Whistler, B.C., Friday. (Michael Sohn/AP)The rural Manitoba community of Russell is bursting with pride over the gold medal won by Jon Montgomery, who has quickly become a hometown hero.
"It's just been an awesome few hours here," Perry Bulbuck, the chairman of Mission Montgomery, told CBC News Saturday morning.
Late Friday night, about 350 people gathered at the Russell Inn to watch Montgomery's competition — men's skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre — on big-screen televisions that were set up both inside and outside the hotel.
There was a festival-like atmosphere with free hamburgers and snacks.
"The people were screaming so hard, kids were jumping in front of the screen. We couldn't even figure out what was happening at one point," Bulbuck said. "It was just incredible."
'His message was just very clear: We can do it.'—Perry Bulbuck, chairman of Mission Montgomery
Montgomery, 30, delivered a total time for his event of three minutes, 29.73 seconds. That was .07 seconds faster than the silver medal champion, Latvia's Martins Dukurs.
"It was just a great moment for Russell," Bulbuck said.
During a visit last summer with schoolchildren, Montgomery spoke about the possibilities of winning a medal, Bulbuck said.
"His message was just very clear: We can do it. You can do it. Anything is possible," he said.
The Montgomery Mission committee was already planning a party for the community, in March, to honour the athlete.
Parade planned
With the gold medal win, Bulbuck said there will be more celebrations.
"We're meeting Monday morning, but I understand that's a go now, for the parade."
Jon Montgomery starts his third run during the men's skeleton competition in Whistler, B.C., Friday. (Ricardo Mazalan/AP)Bulbuck said Montgomery is expected to be in Russell next Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27 and 28.
"We're going to make sure the community thanks him for all he's done for the community," Bulbuck said. "He's just been a small-town boy that thinks highly of Russell."
"This community certainly will … recognize Jon for what he's done for the community of Russell. And just for young people: the encouragement he's given them," he said. "He's just an awesome guy to have around. The kids love him and we can't wait to have him back home."
"We are so proud today," he added.
Russell is a town of about 1,700 about 340 kilometres west of Winnipeg, near Manitoba's border with Saskatchewan.
Another local son — hockey star Theoren Fleury — was born in nearby Oxbow, Sask., and raised on a farm just outside Russell. He, too, has a gold medal. Fleury played for Team Canada in hockey at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
