Celebrating the Sport of
Swimming
Remarks by Hon. David
Kilgour
Member of Parliament for
Edmonton Southeast
2004 Canadian Masters
Swimming Championships
May 21, 2004
Edmonton
Good
afternoon everyone:
It
gives me great pleasure to help you dive
into the 2004 Canadian Masters Swimming
Championships here in Edmonton.
The fact that this competition is
taking place in this city is a tribute to
the importance of this sport in our
community.
Many volunteers and workers have
helped put this event together and I’d
like to take a moment to salute them all for
their hard work and dedication.
In
Alberta, swimming has always been a popular
sport and we have seen our fair share of
champions.
One just has to think of how proud we
were when Mark Tewksbury won the gold medal
in the 100-metre backstroke at the 1992
Barcelona Olympic Games.
Even more recently, Joanne Malar won
the gold medal in the 400-metre individual
medley at the US Grand Prix competition, an
important event leading-up to this year’s
Olympic Games in Athens.
The
popularity of swimming is not surprising as
young and old alike can take part on this
activity.
Over the next few days alone, over
600 Canadians ranging in age from 20-90
years old will take part in these
championships. As well, we have a number of
participants from the United States and
Cameroon.
Striving to excel and to reach new
heights is the driving force for many
competitors, where the values of
sportsmanship prevail.
Of
course competition is not the sole reason
this sport is so loved.
Swimming and other aquatic
activities, such as underwater hockey, are a
great source of exercise.
From rehabilitation to helping those
with disabilities stay in shape, swimming is
a low-impact form of exercise, most various
muscle groups are used, while still
providing good cardiovascular benefits.
So,
regardless of the reason which attracted you
to this sport in the first place, I’d like
to wish the athletes present here today all
the best.
Remember to strive for your personal
best and enjoy yourselves.
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