Big birds on campus
We weren't the only ones who wanted to wish our Olympians good luck: incoming University President Santa Ono and incoming Athletic Director Gilles Lépine also wanted to pass along messages.
On behalf of the entire UBC Thunderbird community I wanted to let you know how proud we are of your accomplishments as you head off to the Olympic Games. We know how much work you've put into competing at the highest levels while pursuing your studies at UBC. You bring us great pride representing both UBC and Canada. We will be rooting hard for you and Team Canada and hope that you will cherish being part of such a remarkable event.
All best wishes and Go Thunderbirds!
Santa J. Ono
First of all I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the seven former UBC student-athletes who will have the honour of representing Canada in track and field at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. What you have accomplished in qualifying for the pinnacle of athletics is truly amazing. You have inspired the hearts of fans in the colours of ‘Red and White’ as well as ‘Blue and Gold’. To have seven graduates of the UBC Track and Field program heading to Rio is a testament to the hard work and dedication you undertook to get to this point, and the legacy you have left for the student-athletes that will come next.
High jumper Michael Mason, you are the veteran of the group. It’s amazing that you are participating in your third Olympic Games . You seem to become stronger with every leap over the bar. Liz Gleadle, we all watch in awe when you pierce the sky with your javelin. You truly show what it means to “throw like a girl”. Ben Thorne, Inaki Gomez, and Evan Dunfee, you have been champions individually and together. May your graceful race walk propel you to success at the Olympic level. Luc Bruchet, you qualified by running your greatest race when it mattered most. You are poised to do your country proud in the 5000 metres. And Maria Bernard, the excitement you provided to your fans by running the steeplechase of your life to qualify for Rio was stunning. I wish you all the greatest of fortunes and the best of luck in Rio.
Cheers.
Gilles
