Athlete: Owen Harrison Province: British Columbia Sport: Cycling

True Sport is publicly recognizing Canada Games athletes who are contributing to a positive sport environment. A True Sport athlete is one who embraces the Principles for Sport:

Go For It    O    Play Fair    O    Stay Healthy    
Keep It Fun    O    Respect Others    O   Give Back

While many athletes may be content to leave the role of leader to others, cyclist Owen Harrison is not that athlete. As Owen prepared to compete in this year’s Canada Summer Games he received the Team British Columbia Athlete Community Excellence Leadership Award. This award recognizes athletes who have developed leadership skills through their participation in sport and are applying them in innovative and exciting ways for the benefit of their communities. In PEI, Owen will be looking to take his leadership skills to the next level.

It is his desire to be a leader, along with the commitment he shows to his community that led Team BC to nominate Owen as their True Sport Athlete. His athletic success is evident in his achievements which include a first place finish at the Western Canada Games along with many top five and top ten placements. But what defines Owen most is his sense of Giving Back. As a volunteer working with younger athletes, Owen demonstrates his love for good sport and helping others. Owen is a BC Games co-coach, junior mountain bike club leader, and regular community volunteer. Owen says, “Being on a representative team, others in the local cycling community, especially juniors, look up to me. I willingly support and give advice to the developing cyclists around me.”

One of the greatest attributes of this young athlete is the Respect he has for all those involved in his success. According to Richard Wooles, Cycling BC’s High Performance Director, “Owen is always the first to recognize those around him. Winning gold at the 2007 Western Canada Games for Team BC is a good example. Owen appreciates the people around him that you don’t see on the podium, but who helped him get there. He is the first to acknowledge his teammates and his supporters.” This Respect for the contribution of others, even in times of great personal success, shows the heart of a True Sport Athlete.

The True Sport Movement would like to congratulate Owen on his attitude toward good sport and wish him the best success at the 2009 Canada Summer Games and beyond!

True Sport is a national movement for sport and community. Its goal is to help sport live up to its full potential as a public asset for Canada and Canadian society, making a significant contribution to the development of youth, the well-being of individuals, and quality of life in our communities. To learn more about the True Sport Movement, visit www.truesport.ca.