A sea of red and white jammed a parade route to celebrate Canada鈥檚 athletes, including quadruple medallist Penny Oleksiak in her Toronto neighbourhood Sunday.
Oleksiak, 16, won a gold, silver and two bronze in the pool, the first Canadian ever to win four medals at a summer games. She was joined by other Canadian athletes, all female, including swimmer Michelle Williams, hurdlers Phylicia George and Nikkita Holder, sprinters Crystal Emmanuel and Alicia Brown and swimmer Elaine Tanner, who won three medals in 1968 in Mexico City.
Thousands of spectators wore Canada gear and waved flags and signs. Passengers cheered from passing streetcars.
Many young people said they are inspired to train harder and reach for their dreams after watching Canada鈥檚 athletes.
鈥淚 think she鈥檚 a really good swimmer and it鈥檚 fantastic to see her go by her in our city,鈥� one young girl told CP24. She鈥檚 a swimmer, too, she says, 鈥渂ut I鈥檓 not as good as Penny.鈥�
鈥淪he worked so hard to get there and she made us so proud,鈥� said one woman along the parade route.
Oleksiak said she was surprised by the turnout of spectators and athletes.
鈥淚 thought there would be 10 people at the beginning鈥� but this is really cool.鈥�
Some of Oleksiak鈥檚 friends escorted the teenaged phenom to the parade鈥檚 staging area, where Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne met the athletes. Wynne later walked the parade route.
Oleksiak鈥檚 friends carried a giant flag over their heads along the parade route. They said their Monarch Park high school will embrace the Grade 11 student when school begins.
Williams, who rode in the back of a red convertible with Oleksiak, said small towns often celebrate their athletes but it was great to see that spirit in a big city like Toronto.
Beach volleyballers Jamie Broder and Kristina Valjas, who train at Toronto鈥檚 Ashbridges Bay, said they were overwhelmed with emotion.
鈥淚鈥檓 so pumped, coming out here and seeing all these people who are so happy to see us,鈥� said Valjas. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so cool to feel the support.鈥�
Tanner, riding in a Jaguar convertible, said it鈥檚 important to remember that Canada鈥檚 athletes need support in the years between the bright lights of the Olympics.
The parade was organized by the Beach Village BIA and the Danforth East Community Association. Organizers said they had no idea how many would come out but were thrilled by the turnout.
The parade ended at Kew Gardens Park, where thousands gathered to hear speeches, listen to music and get autographs from the athletes.
Mayor John Tory told the crowd it鈥檚 not just about athletic performance but how well the athletes represented their country on the international stage.
鈥淭hank you on behalf of the people of the city of Toronto 鈥� You are all heroes to us.鈥�
He declared Sept. 7 Olympian and Paralympian Day in the city and encouraged Canadians to support the Paralympic team, which begins competing in Rio that day.
To close Sunday鈥檚 ceremony, parade organizer Johanna Carlo asked all the athletes how many owe a debt to volunteer coaches and how many had ever been cut from a team. Each one raised their hands.
鈥淓veryone here can be an Olympian because these guys did it,鈥� Carlo said.
