Carlyle’s Carter Morrison capped off a year to remember with a special trip to the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina on Nov. 15.
Carter, 12, was among a group of this province’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers who were honoured at the Legislature for their efforts at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. As one of five Canadian representatives of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Carter helped lead the procession of Canadian athletes into Rio’s Maracana Stadium during the Games opening ceremonies on Aug. 5.
Walking into the stadium with Canadian flag-bearer Rosie MacLennan, Carter hoisted a tree sapling that represented the environmentally-conscious theme of the Olympics. For this role, the Grade 7 student at Gordon F. Kells High School was awarded an opportunity to meet his fellow Olympians, contribute his signature to a commemorative booklet documenting the Olympians' achievements and be introduced to the Legislative Assembly during question period by Cannington MLA Dan D’Autremont.
Carter said it was a “pretty amazing” experience at the Legislature because he got to talk to members of the Canadian Paralympic Team including sailing athlete Logan Campbell as well as get to hold Campbell’s bronze medal. He noted the medal is heavy, but it isn’t very shiny.
The Olympic experience was awarded to Carter for the determination and courageous attitude he has shown while staying at Ronald McDonald House. Carter was born with achondroplasia, which stunts the growth of long bones, and has already had to endure nearly 20 surgeries due to the condition.
After Carter came home from helping lead the Canadian athletes into the 2016 Summer Olympics another honour awaited him. The parade leader was given a spot in his hometown parade where he rode around Carlyle to the cheers of onlookers.
“The Olympics, when I was first going to walk out I was really nervous, but when I walked out I wasn’t that nervous,” said Carter. “Then the parade in Carlyle I didn’t know it was going to happen until the day before and it was pretty sweet because I got to ride in a fire truck and they rode around main street and everybody was chanting my name. It was pretty cool. And the legislative building was pretty fun because I got to see the athletes and hold a bronze medal.”
