King Township Historical Society celebrates local Olympians

October 22, 2013 · 0 Comments

Can any other community in the world boast as many Olympians per person as King Township?
With a tiny population of well under 25,000, King is the birthplace, training ground, residence or retirement retreat of an astonishing number of world-class athletes.
For more than 60 years, athletes with King in their past, present or future have trampolined, run, skated, rowed and – in history-making numbers – ridden at the Olympic games.
To celebrate these amazing Olympians, The King Township Historical Society created a colorful four-panel photographic display and informative free brochure.
King’s medalists have stories to share and applaud. Rosie MacLennan, for instance, won gold in Women’s Trampoline at London’s 2012 Olympics – Canada’s only gold for the games!
Equestrian Jim Elder is another King record-setter – he won both gold and bronze medals when he competed in no fewer than six Olympic Games between 1956 and 1984. Elder followed in the steps of three King residents – Larry McGuiness, John Rumble and Walter Pady – who galloped and jumped with the first-ever Canadian Olympic Equestrian Eventing Team (1952).
King has had its share of winter athletes too including Elvis Stojko, silver medalist in Men’s Skating for consecutive games. Elvis came from Richmond Hill – but he studied at The Country Day School where the teachers individualized his timetable to allow for his rigorous training schedule.
The King Township Historical Society display tells these stories and many more. With luck, it will have to be updated after the 2014 Sochi Winter Games!
See the display and pick up a brochure at the King Township Museum, 2920 King Road, through December 2013. To inspire young King residents – and budding Olympians – the display moves to the King City Secondary School Library in January and to King City Public School in February.
Other schools, community organizations and libraries are welcome to book the display. Make requests at “Contact Us” on the King Township Historical Society webpage, www.kingtownshiphistoricalsociety.com.