Curt Harnett had more than enough success stories at his disposal to captivate his audience.
But instead, the four-time Olympian looked back to when his love of cycling first began.
“I was blessed as a kid to learn the joy and pleasure of riding,” said Harnett, who served as emcee for the local celebration of the one-year countdown of the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, held Saturday at the Milton Community Park. “To get on my bike and just ride… that was freedom.”
That recollection was a fitting kickoff to the day-long festivities, given the enthusiasm Harnett has displayed since day one of the velodrome and Milton’s part in the Pan Am Games.
He added, “My excitement’s mounting. This is a natural home for cycling.”
Echoing those sentiments was Toronto 2015 CEO Saad Rafi, who described the Town of Milton as a “tremendous partner” with regards to the velodrome project and encouraged residents to get involved in the Games as one of 1,000 volunteers needed next summer.
“I don’t know anyone who volunteered (for Pan Am Games) and didn’t say it had a life-changing impact on them. Let’s get excited, the Games are right around the corner.”
Dignitaries from three levels of government were on hand to help celebrate the countdown, as was CIBC Team Next track athlete Kim Hyacinthe and cycling great Steve Bauer, who was recently hired as head coach of the Milton Cycling Academy.
The event featured a ‘Keep the Bikes Spinning Challenge’ in which Harnett and special guests joined with area youth in taking turns riding stationary bikes, with the aim of keeping the wheels spinning for five hours straight.
Parapan Am Games demonstrations in basketball, rugby and cycling were also held.
The countdown included live entertainment from a number of musical acts, and — in keeping with the active, healthy theme of the day — a booth where guests could ride a bike that powered a smoothie-making machine.
Milton’s one-year countdown was sponsored by the Real Canadian Superstore, CIBC and Cisco.
