Two ex-Olympians, one paralympian, a world champion, a pioneering hockey team and a longstanding 91大黄鸭 sports tradition.
There was no shortage of athletic talent or competitive spirit on display Thursday morning at the Coast Capri Hotel as the officially honoured its 2017 class of inductees.
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Elmore realized a childhood dream in 2004 when she competed in the 1,500 metres at the 2004 Olympic Games.
She was a four-time Canadian champion in the 1,500, the 2012 Olympic trials champion, and bronze medal winner at the 2003 World University Games.
Elmore, 37, said her career wouldn鈥檛 have been possible without the support of family, coaches and so many others in the community.
鈥淚鈥檓 very grateful for all the support I鈥檝e had over the years to pursue my life as an athlete,鈥� said Elmore, a graduate of KSS. 鈥淚 do believe it takes a village to raise an athlete, so to the city of 91大黄鸭, to my schools, to my university, to all the people over the years鈥hey鈥檝e all inspired me over the years.鈥�
An accomplished athlete in high school in 91大黄鸭, Leinemann took his skills to another level in 1995 when he won the Canadian beach volleyball championship.
Leinemann, a KLO grad, went on to win the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg in 1999. Among the many accomplishments during his beach volleyball career was competing for Canada at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia where his team finished ninth overall.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an amazing honour to get inducted with all these amazing athletes and builders from the Okanagan, truly honoured,鈥� said Leinemann, who counts the Olympics as the highlight of his career. 鈥淣umber one is the Olympics, representing Canada on the world stage and walking into the opening ceremonies in front of 110,000 people gives me shivers up my back.鈥�
Rendered a paraplegic after a fall when he was 16, Hickling went on to become one of Canada鈥檚 most celebrated wheelchair athletes of all time.
Hickling won four Paralympic Games medals and five world championship medals鈥攊ncluding one gold鈥攄uring his career in wheelchair rugby. He was also Canada鈥檚 flag bearer at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
Hickling, who now lives in London, Ont., travelled home to 91大黄鸭 for the induction ceremony.
鈥淚t was an incredible career, I met a lot of great people and made great friends,鈥� said Hickling. 鈥淭hanks everyone for being here to share this special celebration with us.鈥�
Hickling was in 2015.
鈥� Chris Taneda鈥攂uilder
Synonymous with karate in the Central Okanagan, Taneda is six-time Canadian karate champion and a four-time world champion.
He was named Karate BC鈥檚 coach of the year in 2005 and was an Olympic torch bearer for Canada in 2010. Taneda also received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012.
鈥淚 feel very humbled to even be considered in the company of people like Conrad and Malindi, to be within this group of people is an honour,鈥� Taneda said.
鈥� 91大黄鸭 Buckaroos hockey鈥攑ioneer
The Buckaroos were instrumental in establishing junior A hockey in 91大黄鸭. After joining the Okanagan junior league in 1961, the Bucs became one of four original teams in the B.C. Junior Hockey League in 1967.
The Buckaroos, who won the BCJHL title in 1974, paved the way for the success of both the WHL鈥檚 91大黄鸭 Rockets and 91大黄鸭 Minor Hockey.
Former team accountant and supporter Tun Wong accepted the honour on behalf of the Buckaroos.
鈥淥ne common thing that we all had was the fact that we loved hockey,鈥� said Wong. 鈥淭here was no remuneration in those early days, the kids played for the love of the game, to present wonderful entertainment for the rabid hockey fans in the city of 91大黄鸭.鈥�
鈥� Western Canada Basketball Tournament鈥擝ennett Award
With a rich 44-year history behind it, the Western Canada Basketball Tournament this year earned special recognition from the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame.
The annual tourney at 91大黄鸭 Secondary School has grown into one of the country鈥檚 most prestigious high school basketball events and continues to attract elite teams each February.
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