CONGRATULATIONS Team Canada: 2019 Warrior Games
Comedian and former talk show host Jon Stewart (centre, top row) poses for a group photo with Team Canada athletes during the Warrior Games in Tampa, Fla. Photo credit: Soldier On
Team Canada returned home from the experience of a lifetime at the 2019 U.S. Department of Defense Warrior Games in Tampa, Florida.
While Team Canada’s showing on the podium was an impressive one, the true impact of the event extends far beyond the medal count and even the Games themselves. The inspiring performance of each athlete is a testament to their strength and resiliency, as well as to the important role of sports in supporting the recovery of ill and injured armed service members and veterans.
This year Team Canada was comprised of 36 serving Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans who competed in 13 sports against more than 300 ill and injured armed forces members and veterans from the U.S., U.K., Australia, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The Games officially came to an end on June 30, with Team Canada having won a total of 21 medals, including 10 gold, 5 silver, and 6 bronze.
Our very own Corporal Nick Kerr won bronze in men’s individual golf competition and a gold in team golf competition along side Captain (retired) Kristina Moreau from Courtice, Ontario; Corporal (retired) Natalie Champagne from Spruce Grove, Alberta; Sergeant (retired) Peter Sova from Fredericton, New Brunswick; Captain (retired) Daniel Germain from Ste-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, Quebec; and Sergeant (retired) Robert Gagnon from Rothesay, New Brunswick.
Nick then went on to win a bronze in individual swimming competition in the men’s 50-metre backstroke in his classification and another bronze in the men’s mixed classification swimming relay race. Alongside Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Dandurand from Stittsville, Ontario; Sergeant (retired) Robert Gagnon from Rothesay, New Brunswick; Master Corporal Pierre Desrosiers from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
Nick was then chosen at the end of the games by his teammate as the Heart Of the Team Award recipient.
The award criteria is as followed:
This athlete should be unselfish and committed to the team over individual performance. he or she should be willing to help out in anyway that benefits the team and its members. the athlete should display good sportsmanship, respect to officials and opposing teams even in the face of adverse outcomes. likewise the athletes should demonstrate cooperation and respect in dealing with his or her coaches and teammates. The athlete should have a positive attitude, be a positive role model and should be committed to doing what’s right at all times. Finally the athlete should demonstrate personal courage which could mean overcoming physical and or emotional duress.
“Despite his own injuries he was constantly unselfish and Upbeat. Always putting the team, ill and injured members before himself. When not competing He was found cheering at every sporting event, giving teammates encouragement, lended a helping hand to anyone that needed it and worked tirelessly to inspire sport of team Canada. Cpl NIck Kerr”
“Participating in these Games has been an incredible, life-changing experience. Sports have given me an outlet that I never thought I’d have again and made me realize that I am not alone. Thank you to my teammates and coaches, to the new friends I’ve met in Tampa, to the Soldier On program, and to my family and friends – I couldn’t have done this without you. And to all those wondering if they should give sports a try or whether they are even capable…the answer is yes,” said Corporal Nick Kerr.
Other notable Canadian achievements at the games include
Sgt (retired) Marion Kelly from St. Catherines, Ontario won four gold medals in individual swimming competition, setting four Warrior Games records in the process, in the women’s 50-metre freestyle, 100-metre freestyle, 50-metre backstroke, and 50-metre breaststroke in her classification
Master Seaman Laura Livesey from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories won two gold in individual swimming competition in the women’s 100-metre freestyle and 50-metre backstroke, as well as two silver in the 50-metre freestyle and 50-metre breaststroke in her classification
Master Seaman Laura Livesey from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories; Master Corporal (retired) Frieda Van Putten from Victoria, British Columbia; Sergeant (retired) Marion Kelly from St. Catherines, Ontario; and Australian Narelle Mason (subbing in for the injured Petty Officer Second Class Lisa Nilsson from Sooke, British Columbia) won gold in the women’s swimming relay.
Captain (retired) Derek McDonald from Mount Pearl, Newfoundland won gold in men’s 4-minute indoor rowing and silver in the 1-minute event, setting a Warrior Games record in the 4-minute row.
Captain (retired) Kristina Moreau from Courtice, Ontario won gold in 10-metre air rifle shooting.
Sergeant (retired) Peter Sova from Fredericton, New Brunswick won silver in men’s powerlifting.
Master Corporal (retired) Frieda Van Putten from Victoria, British Columbia won silver in women’s cycling time trials.
Master Corporal (retired) Stephane Jobin from the City of Quebec, Quebec won bronze in men’s 100 metre and 200-metre track events.
Captain (retired) Jennifer Sizer from Victoria, British Columbia won bronze in women’s powerlifting.
Corporal (retired) Natalie Champagne from Spruce Grove, Alberta won bronze in women’s individual golf competition.
Congratulations everyone!