World champion curler Lisa Weagle will serve as Canada’s chef de mission for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, returning to the site where she first competed as an Olympian.
For next year’s Winter Youth Olympic Games, South Korea will utilize several venues from the Pyeongchang Olympics. This event is the largest multi-sport competition for athletes aged 15 to 18.
The Canadian Olympic Committee announced Weagle’s appointment on Wednesday in Calgary.
Notable Canadian Olympians who have participated in the Winter Youth Olympic Games include ski cross racer Reece Howden from Cultus Lake, B.C., Toronto alpine skier Ali Nullmeyer, and Vancouver luger Natalie Corless.
“My sports journey has taken me to places I never imagined,” Weagle told The Canadian Press. “Now I have the chance to support the next generation of youth Olympic athletes.”
Although Homan’s team did not reach the podium in Pyeongchang, Weagle is enthusiastic about returning to South Korea to support young Canadian athletes from January 19 to February 1, 2024, in Gangwon province.
“It feels like a full circle moment,” Weagle said. “I’m excited to create new memories, revisit familiar venues, and relive past experiences. I loved my time there.
“In this role, I get to mentor, cheerlead, and advocate for the athletes, allowing them to concentrate on their performance. I can relate to their experiences, having stood on the podium at world championships and also faced the disappointment of not medalling at the Olympics. I’ve experienced the full range of emotions in my sports career.”
