THUNDER BAY – In 1974, Zygmunt Grzelewski won the first gold medal of the Ontario Winter Games, the last time they were held in Thunder Bay.
As a result, he was asked to light the torch that year, the highlight of the opening ceremonies.
Fifty years later the Games returned to Thunder Bay and once again, Grzelewski was called on to do the honours, one of a handful of torch-bearers involved in the 1974 event.
What a thrill, he said on Friday night, the torch blazing behind him in the Fort William Historical Park courtyard, where more than 600 athletes and coaches, and hundreds more volunteers and onlookers watched this year’s opening ceremonies take place.
“I won the actual first gold medal of the games back then,” said Grzelewski, a weightlifter in his younger days.
“I was a flyweight, which is the lightest weight in weightlifting and it just happened that way. The next thing you know they were asking me to light the torch and of course I said yes. I was elated to be able to do that. Being able to do it again is unbelievable. It just brought back all those good memories.”
Just 14 when he competed, Grzelewski is now 64 and said sports has always been important in his life and he believes all youth should have access to participate.
“It gives them a discipline, because you have to train for your event, as well as the elation of winning a medal, whether it’s gold, silver, bronze, or even just participating. It’s a great thing to have in your life,” he said.
This year’s opening ceremonies were created in part by the City of Thunder Bay’s Karen Kadolph, also the Games’ special events chair.
It’s been a lot of work, but it’s paid off and she said she can’t thank everyone who collaborated to make it happen enough.
Fort William Historical Park was chosen as the venue as a way to showcase one of Thunder Bay’s premiere attractions.
“These are people who are most likely coming to the city for the very first time. When they’re doing their sports, they’re going to go around and see the different venues that we have, so we wanted to show them something that was very different and something that was very Thunder Bay,” Kadolph said.
“So Fort William Historical Park was the site for that type of venue. With that we’ve done a great job showcasing many of the different sponsors that are here. We want the community to come out, support the athletes in this great, outdoor venue and also for the athletes, just to see what Thunder Bay has and something that they wouldn’t see with the Games.”
Six of the 13 events, including wrestling, diving, ringette, futsal, cross-country skiing and badminton will be staged this weekend, with the remaining seven, including hockey, archery, five-pin bowling, curling, fencing, artistic swimming and biathlon will be held next weekend.
Event chair Barry Streib, said it took a lot of work, but it was worth every drop of sweat.
“I think it means a lot to Thunder Bay because we always come together as a community when we do these major events. It’s an emotional moment for the team because the team has put so much work getting to this point. And now it’s here and we’re excited and we can’t wait for it to get started,” said Streib, who was at the futsal opener earlier in the day at the Lakehead University Thunderdome.
“It’s what this is all about. It gives an opportunity for these athletes, 12- to 18-years old, to show their talents and compete in an environment where they’re comfortable to be, because they chose their sport and they’re going to do an amazing job. I can’t wait to watch them compete and perform their talents in that arena.”
