A team of young athletes hailing from the Thornhill area are officially Olympics bound to represent Canada in rhythmic gymnastics.
The gymnasts from Kalev Estienne Rhythmic Gymnastics Centre, aged 17 to 21, were invited to the London 2012 Summer Olympics after their rhythmic gymnastics senior group took the top pan-American spot at last year’s World Championships. They received one of three “wild cards” given to ensure every continent is represented at the Games.
Evelyn Koop, president and program director at Kalev, said she is especially proud of the girls for overcoming a lack of proper facilities to train in, which forced them to travel locally and abroad just to practise.
Twenty-year-old gymnast Rosie Cossar remembers hearing the news.
“It was the best feeling in the world. I can’t remember ever feeling better than that,” she said. “Four years ago we started training together, and at that point, it was slim chances we’d actually make it. As the years went on, it became more realistic — and we made it.”
Cossar hopes the team will place in the top eight or at least rank over Germany’s talented team. Other locals en route to the Olympics include trampolinist Karen Cockburn.