Canada’s ambassador at the Youth Olympic Games is a Gee-Gee!
By Nadia Gervais
Did you know that there are Olympic Games for young athletes? They’re called the Youth Olympic Games, they’ve been around for a year, and the first winter games will be held from January 13 to January 22 in Innsbruck, Austria. Even better, the person chosen as Canada’s Young Ambassador is one of our own: uOttawa student Élise Desjardins!
Élise applied for the position without thinking she stood much chance of beating out her competition (former Olympic athletes!), so she was very surprised to find out she had been chosen. Yet Élise clearly fits the profile of a Young Ambassador, with over five years’ experience as a member of the Gee-Gees soccer team, including three years as captain. Élise is thrilled and honoured “to have the opportunity to work with so many incredible people from around the world.” Currently completing an MSc, she hopes that this volunteer experience will bring her one step closer to her dream: a career in the sports industry.
Élise believes that her experience at the University of Ottawa—on the soccer team, in her research projects and throughout her experience in Africa with Professor Norm O’Reilly—was a deciding factor in her selection. “I also appreciate the incredible support of my thesis supervisor, Dr. Eric MacIntosh, and the Faculty of Health Sciences for encouraging me to pursue this opportunity,” she says, grateful for her uOttawa education.
The Youth Olympic Games will host 14-to-18-year-old athletes from 34 countries, including 54 Canadians. In addition to accompanying and supporting these 54 young athletes, Élise will be responsible for implementing a Culture and Education Program by organizing activities for the competitors in partnership with the ambassadors from the other participating countries. “The goal of the Program is to instill Olympic values and culture in the young athletes,” she explains. They will participate in personal development and environmental awareness workshops, among others. “I’m so happy to have the opportunity to work with elite young athletes, and I’m really looking forward to getting to know them and having a positive impact on their experience at the Youth Olympic Games,” she adds, enthusiastic about the prospect of making a difference.
In addition to the work she’ll have to do in Austria, Élise is responsible for promoting the Youth Olympic Games among young Canadians by developing projects to encourage children to be active.
For more information on the Youth Olympic Games and on Élise’s adventure, visit the Canadian Olympic Committee website.
Comments (5)
Nadia pourrait animer des activités de promotion du sport, mini-olympiades par exemple avec les enfants des étudiants du campus! je serais la première à ramener mon fils de 3 ans et demi!
Par ailleurs,
Je suis heureuse de voir, encore une fois, les valeurs canadiennes de bénévolat s’exporter dans le monde. j’aimerais participer à un tel projet, mais plus dans le domaine artistique.
By Nassima Ghozali on 2011 08 22
Comments (5)
Good luck Nadia
By Abdul on 2011 08 24
Comments (5)
Je ne suis malheureusement pas cette athlète, j’ai simplement écrit l’article!
L’ambassadrice du Canada pour les Jeux olympiques de la jeunesse se nomme Élise Desjardins.
By Nadia Gervais on 2011 08 24
Comments (5)
GO ELISE!!!!!!
Je suis tellement fiere de toi!
Tu es definitivement une des meilleures personnes que je connaisse pour remplir ce titre!
Bonne chance et amuse-toi bien!
xoxox
By Christine Plamondon on 2011 08 26
Comments (5)
Go ELise! wow bonne chance ma belle! Depuis Louis Riel tu te prouve etre une vraie star!!!!
By Fabiola Gabriel on 2011 08 31