Local Olympian hurdler Noelle Montcalm received a hero’s welcome Wednesday when she arrived at Windsor Airport from Rio De Janiero.
Olympian Noelle Montcalm of Belle River, arrives at Windsor Airport following Rio Olympics, August 24, 2016. (NICK BRANCACCIO/Windsor Star)
Grinning ear to ear and decked out in her Team Canada gear, the 28-year-old Belle River native was welcomed home by family and fans along with Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain.
“My emotions are everywhere,” she said. “I mean, it’s been a rollercoaster just from nationals so the past month and a half, almost two months, have been just an incredible ride. All this support means so much to me. I see it while I’m away and it means the world while I am away competing.”
In Rio, Montcalm placed fourth in the 4x4oo-metre relay and sixth in the 400-metre semifinals. Although she didn’t medal in the Rio Games, Montcalm said she’s coming home with great memories from an incredible experience. She said she went there to compete and represent her country but also had a lot of fun in the process.
“I’ve heard the word disappointment thrown around a lot with some of my teammates and I used it myself but you cannot be disappointed with representing your country and putting your best out there and that’s all you can ask,” she said. “Not everyone’s going to win a medal and not everyone’s going to run a personal best on the day. But you go out there and do what you can and I’m proud of what I accomplished.”
Montcalm isn’t ruling out trying to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in four years. But for now she plans to rest and recover.
“I’m shutting down my season,” she said. “I like to end it on a high note which I think I did. So now just rest and recovery.”
Olympian Noelle Montcalm poses with teacher Andromeda Dean, right, after arriving home from Rio Olympics, Wednesday August 24, 2016. (NICK BRANCACCIO/Windsor Star)
Olympian Noelle Montcalm, centre, poses with mayors Drew Dilkens, left, and Tom Bain after arriving home from Rio Olympics, Wednesday August 24, 2016. (NICK BRANCACCIO/Windsor Star)
Olympian Noelle Montcalm, right, arrives home from Rio Olympics, with her boyfriend Shawn MacFarlane the first to enbrace her at Windsor Airport Wednesday August 24, 2016. (NICK BRANCACCIO/Windsor Star)
Olympian Noelle Montcalm of Belle River, holds a press conference at Windsor Airport. Montcalm competed in the Rio Summer Olympics, August 24, 2016. (NICK BRANCACCIO/Windsor Star)
Olympian Noelle Montcalm, centre, is greeted by dozens of friends, supporters and family at Windsor Airport Wednesday August 24, 2016. (NICK BRANCACCIO/Windsor Star)
