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From a complete unknown in the speed skating world to a future shining star, Ryan Gibson, 23, is learning the ropes of the sport and aiming for an Olympic debut.
A former hockey player with the Ontario Junior Hockey League鈥檚 Kingston Voyageurs, Gibson attended an event in 2019 where his athletic abilities caught the eye of David Morrison, manager of sport development for Speed Skating Canada. 鈥淩yan鈥檚 an example of the gems we鈥檙e finding through this program. He would have been completely unknown to us, but these events can jumpstart their careers, giving them the extra support that they need to make it onto the national scene and into the program,鈥 said Morrison.
RBC Training Ground first launched in 2016 and is a nation-wide talent identification and athlete funding program dedicated to finding Canada's future Olympians. It鈥檚 free to participate and is open to anyone aged 14 to 25, with in-person qualifying events being held across the country, as well as an at-home testing option. To date, over 1,300 high-potential athletes have been identified through RBC Training Ground, with seven of the program鈥檚 alumni medalling at the recent Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympic Games.
Gibson is hoping to add his name to that list of medallists in the future. After impressing Morrison back in 2019 with his results at the initial qualifying event, Gibson, along with 30 other athletes with speed skating potential, was invited to skate at the Calgary Olympic Oval. 鈥淚 had to find my way out to Calgary, put some speed skates on, and that was my first time being out on the oval,鈥 said Gibson. 鈥淚t was a pretty neat experience and they liked it from the results point of view. Then Dave [Morrison] nominated me for the National Final.鈥
Morrison says he saw potential in Gibson, especially considering his experience as a hockey player. Seeing him skate the Calgary Olympic Oval sealed the deal. By the time the skaters got to the fifth session, the group had been whittled down. 鈥淏y that fifth session, it鈥檚 a lot for any athlete that hasn鈥檛 done the speed skating position before 鈥 essentially it鈥檚 like holding a squat with a bar on your back for ten minutes. Ryan could do it. We know that if we invest time in this individual, he can hold that position and we can improve his technique,鈥 said Morrison.
From that initial group of 30 athletes in Calgary, Morrison nominated six to the RBC Training Ground National Final, where they would compete against the top 100 athletes to become an RBC 鈥淔uture Olympian.鈥 Gibson excelled in the finals and was selected by RBC Training Ground, receiving funding and further coaching from Speed Skating Canada.
He was thrilled that his daily training and preparation had paid off. 鈥淚 knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I didn鈥檛 want to mess it up. I knew there鈥檇 be other kids out there doing the exact same thing and I鈥檇 been hoping my training would lead to a good result,鈥 he said.
This winning mentality is the sign of an elite athlete, something Morrison was looking for. 鈥淭he characteristics I see in Ryan are a strong indication that he can be an elite performer. One of those is his positive attitude. He鈥檚 a positive contributor to the training groups he鈥檚 in,鈥 Morrison explained. 鈥淚 also see his perseverance. He learns from his hiccups and he鈥檚 not a quitter.鈥
Now, with his sights set on long track speed skating, Gibson is focused and intent on conquering each new level of competition until he reaches the Olympics. 鈥淚鈥檒l be focusing on the long track championships, making the national team, getting on a few world cups and then from there looking at the Olympics,鈥 said Gibson.
He says the funding and connections made through the RBC Training Ground program have helped him navigate the pathway into a new sport. From being connected with an Ottawa-based coach to being able to purchase speed skates and sharpening stones, he says he couldn鈥檛 have asked for a better start. For athletes considering the program, Gibson offers this advice: 鈥淕o sign up for the closest event to you. Whether you think you have a shot or not, you never know 鈥 you might surprise yourself. Give it your all and don鈥檛 look back.鈥
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