• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
Olympic Paddling Wonder Retires!

Olympic Paddling Wonder Retires!

April 26, 2022
Remote work is changing our perspective to work-life balance.

Remote work is changing our perspective to work-life balance.

July 4, 2022
Boost garden productivity with pollinators!

Boost garden productivity with pollinators!

July 2, 2022
The start of summer in HRM!

The start of summer in HRM!

July 2, 2022
Amazing Rescue at Maskwa!

Amazing Rescue at Maskwa!

July 1, 2022
Tough Times but Oh So Resilient!

Tough Times but Oh So Resilient!

July 1, 2022
Summer camp for future artists!

Summer camp for future artists!

June 30, 2022
One of the most ambitious climate action movements in Canada!

One of the most ambitious climate action movements in Canada!

June 29, 2022
Canada Day Celebrations are back!

Canada Day Celebrations are back!

June 28, 2022
The CCAA Hall of Famers from MSVU!

The CCAA Hall of Famers from MSVU!

June 27, 2022
A Rotary Moment

A Rotary Moment

June 25, 2022
Ready to build a Secondary or Backyard Suite?

Ready to build a Secondary or Backyard Suite?

June 25, 2022
Swimming location for your outings!

Swimming location for your outings!

June 22, 2022
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Park View News Online
  • Home
  • Newspaper
  • Information
  • Blogs
  • Health
  • Business
  • Weather
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Newspaper
  • Information
  • Blogs
  • Health
  • Business
  • Weather
No Result
View All Result
Park View News Online
No Result
View All Result
Home Blogs

Olympic Paddling Wonder Retires!

by Parkview News Online
April 26, 2022
Olympic Paddling Wonder Retires!
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By John Moore, Columnist

I recently had the privilege of attending three time Olympic paddler and Maskwa athlete Mark DeJong’s retirement send off. It was held at the Mercantile Social on Hollis Street. It was a fun filled evening full of stories and many walks down memory lane. Attending was some of De Jong’s paddling friends he grew up with, former coaches, commodores, and supporters. It was great to celebrate such a momentous occasion. Long time paddling champion and close friend, Alex Scott, functioned as Master of Ceremonies. He did a superb job delighting everyone with his lighthearted joviality and ease in ensuring DeJong’s sendoff would be one for the record books.

De Jong’s paddling career will be one not soon forgotten A number of speakers told of the time Mark crushed his finger in an accident just before the Olympic trials in 2012. His upcoming race was changed from May to late June as a result. It was amazing he was able to recover in such a short time .He not only recovered but he unofficially broke the world record in this trial race, the K1 200 m, in Montreal. That event was his signature event and it had only recently been approved to become an official Olympic event. Prior to this he may have never been in the Olympics had it not been for this, but the paddling angels were with him. He went on to win a bronze medal in London later in August. That was to be the start of a remarkable run that saw him officially break the world record in the K1 200 m race in 2014 not only once but twice in one weekend. That in itself has to be a record.

Mark was asked to write some words of encouragement a number of years ago to be announced at several regattas, one at Maskwa, and the other at Lake Banook. Here is some of what he said:

“Competing at the Olympics is exceedingly rare, rarer, I ‘ve learned than getting struck by lightning. But I’ve found that it is not a game of odds. Becoming an Olympic athlete is not about being lucky, it is about being dedicated, working hard, and never giving up on your dream. It has taken me 15 years to make my Olympic dream come true and it has all been worth it. The early mornings, the sacrifices with friends, the hard work, and miserable weather has all been worth it. While the Olympics may be several years away for you everything you do now will bring you one step closer to achieving your Olympic dream. I wish you all good luck today in your races, but always remember that it is not luck that makes a great athlete, it is a winning attitude. Race hard and dream big!”

These words are not just confined to paddling but are true of life itself. This is a message we can all live our lives by. Mark was able to do the great things he did by living by the adage: Do what is possible , do what is necessary, and soon you will be doing the impossible. Thank you Mark for all you have done for the sport of paddling, for encouraging so many others and for making us all the better for it. Thank you to your lovely wife Lee Anne for being by your side to do all this. We are looking forward to whatever the next chapter may bring.

April is volunteer month; I should like to take this opportunity to honor all those unsung heroes in our community who give unselfishly of their time and talent to help better the way of life for others. Thank you for all you do. Happy Easter and may God bring peace to our world.

Photo credits to https://olympic.ca/

Tags: Mark de Jongeolympicsretirementsports
Parkview News Online

Parkview News Online

Recommended.

Let’s explore into the Deep!

Let’s explore into the Deep!

June 22, 2022
Halifax West MP Report

Halifax West MP Report

May 9, 2022

Trending.

The Hawks are locked and loaded for another title!

The Hawks are locked and loaded for another title!

April 13, 2022
Take Me Out to The Ball Game!

Take Me Out to The Ball Game!

June 22, 2022
Meet the new President and Vice-Chancellor of MSVU

Meet the new President and Vice-Chancellor of MSVU

May 13, 2022
Sharing Bad News Headlines with Children

Sharing Bad News Headlines with Children

June 25, 2022
COVID 19 to COVID 22, Where to Now?

COVID 19 to COVID 22, Where to Now?

April 12, 2022
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Contact Us: 902-452-7472 bertpublishing@gmail.com

Copyright © 2022. Ufind Advertising Agency

No Result
View All Result
  • Home

Copyright © 2022. Ufind Advertising Agency

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist