King’s MacLennan lauded at hometown ceremony

November 16, 2016 · 0 Comments

Olympic gold medalist Rosie MacLennan reacts to a speech from King Mayor Steve Pellegrini at a special ceremony at Cardinal Golf Club.

By Jake Courtepatte
“No pressure, but three would be great.”
Those were the words of King Township mayor Steve Pellegrini to Rosie MacLennan, two-time Olympic gold medalist, at a special ceremony to commemorate the region’s golden girl at Cardinal Golf Club last Thursday.
Of course, Pellegrini was being playful, although MacLennan herself did not rule the prospect of returning to the Summer Olympic Games in 2020 out of the question.
“In a sport that’s individual, we all work together,” said MacLennan, speaking of her close relationship with her teammates and coach David Ross, who was in attendance. “(Ross) was able to spark my imagination, and leading into Rio I was doing skills that if you would have asked me before London if it were possible, I would have never expected to have done in my entire athletic career. That’s what makes me feel like I’m unstoppable, and I’m not done yet.”
MacLennan’s four-minute speech brought a crowded hall to its feet, the finale of a round of speeches from the area’s top politicians both at a municipal and federal level.
Perhaps the most rousing of the night was a revelation brought forth by Pellegrini, who surprised MacLennan with news on the future King Township Recreation Centre, set to be built at the corner of Dufferin Road and 15th Sideroad.
“We would like to name part of the facility after you,” Pellegrini told MacLennan, before telling her parents John and Jane that if they “hung around a little longer, she could have taken swimming lessons there.”
Ross, who has been involved in the sport of trampoline for close to 50 years and MacLennan’s coach for the last 15 (and counting, said Ross), gave an emotional speech that saw the sports veteran almost moved to tears.
“If this were a wedding, and I needed a good roasting, I would have trouble searching for material,” said Ross. “Rosie’s the most kind and wonderful person I’ve met.”
Ross has been with MacLennan through her two Pan American gold medals, two World Championship gold medals, and now, two Olympic gold medals.
“As a coach, I look for race horses knowing that as Canadians, we cannot beat the world, which Rosie did, just by throwing more athletes and more money at the problem … that’s what makes her special.”
Ross said that what sets MacLennan apart from the crowd is her positivity and determination.
“She perseveres. She’s like the little engine going up the mountain … I think I can, I think I can.”
MacLennan grew up in King City, training at Skyrider’s Place in Richmond Hill and attended King City Secondary School.
“I couldn’t say thank you enough, to the schools that I went to in King City and Aurora, that were supportive of this nine-year old little girl that one day dreamed of being an Olympian,” said MacLennan.
The 28-year old, who made her Olympic debut in Beijing in 2008, became the first Canadian to win back-to-back golds in individual trampoline in London 2010 and Rio 2016, and was the nation’s official flag bearer in the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Games.