19 March 2007
More than 160 Kids Take Part in CPR On-Track Ski Tournament
Labrador City Labrador Newfoundland - The Canadian Pacific
Railway On-Track Ski Tournament held at the Menihek Nordic Ski Club is being described as a great success.
More than 160 children from ages four to 14 took part in the races and scavenger hunt during the event. All had the opportunity to
receive an autographed picture of CPR On-Track ambassador, three-time Olympian Melaine Theriault.
Along with the autographed picture, all participants received an on-Track T-shirt and during the banquet and
awards ceremony held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Labrador City, they received participation medals.
Theriault said she was pleased to visit a smaller community to help promote the sport of cross-country skiing as she had
the opportunity to meet the people and children involved in the sport on a local level. Being an ambassador for the program also gives
her the opportunity to give back to the sport, which has given her so much, she said.
The CPR ambassador was kept busy during her two and a half day visit as she was taken directly from the airport to speak to children at
J. R. Smallwood Middle School in Wabush to speak to the students about the dedication and commitment required to become an Olympian and
also the rewards of all the hard work.
Later that evening she was the guest of honor at a meet and greet hosted by the Towns of Labrador City and Wabush. She was introduced
to municipal leaders, sponsors of the Menihek Club and even had the opportunity to meet Premier Danny Williams who was in town helping
his candidate in the recently held provincial by-election.
Williams congratulated Theriault on her success and said the whole province looks up to Canada's Olympians, in particular since the
latest Olympic Gold medal curling champions were from the province, including two members from Labrador West.
Having concluded her ambassador duties, Theriault managed to ski the local trails with several coaches and club members before leaving
Labrador West. She said she was very impressed with the trail system and enjoyed her time in the area.
Club president Gerry Rideout said they are very thankful to have been one of just six nordic ski clubs across the country to host a CPR
On-Track Tournament. He said they were proud to host such an event and credited the many volunteers at the club, as well
as parents of children, for making it such a success.
The club presented Theriault with a cheque for $500 to go towards Right to Play, an athlete-driven humanitarian
organization that uses sport and play as a tool of development for children and youth in the most disadvantaged countries of the
world.
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