Two young accomplished achievers to represent Canada at Olympic Youth Camp

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Two young accomplished achievers to represent Canada at Olympic Youth Camp

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gDOEHbrEvyqF39RTZDIQSkZIk1iw

Between earning stellar grades and academic recognition, volunteering,

charity work, organizing major fundraising efforts and other community

activities, it's difficult to imagine how two young Canadians have found the

time to become accomplished athletes.

Whiteside, 18, of New Hamburg, Ont., and Carson Marcoux, 16, of

Balmoral, N.B., are heading to Beijing soon after being selected as the two

Canadian participants in the Olympic Youth Camp.

The camp brings together more than 400 youth from countries taking part in

the Olympics and focuses on instilling Olympic values. The participants will

be in Beijing from Aug. 6 to 17 and will attend Olympic events and take part

in related activities.

It was a tough selection process, said Wallace, with the Canadian

Olympic Committee.

" We were looking for well-roundedness and commitment to...the Olympic

movement, but more so commitment to the Olympic values: excellence,

leadership, respect, " she said.

" Both of these individuals have lots of experience in sport, but (also)

giving back to their sports and community development. "

Wallace said the organization is proud to have Marcoux and Whiteside

representing Canada at the camp.

" I'm definitely honoured to be selected, " Marcoux said.

" I'm sure there were a lot of applicants and I'm glad they chose me. So I'll

try to make the best out of the experience and make Canada proud. "

Marcoux just completed Grade 10 French immersion with a 97 per cent average,

raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society while performing at piano

recitals, has volunteered for Meals on Wheels, the Dalhousie Nursing Home

and a breakfast program at his high school, and coaches and referees

fencing.

As if that weren't enough, Marcoux is quite an accomplished fencer himself.

He is ranked first in Atlantic Canada in his category and fifth in Canada

for under-17 national selection rankings.

" It's every athlete's dream just to be at the Olympics. Even though I'm not

going to be competing it's still going to be a pretty amazing experience, "

Marcoux said.

" It's amazing because all these athletes have worked so hard to get where

they are. Just watching them compete - they're the best athletes in the

world ... They push the limits of their bodies. "

Marcoux hopes to make the move from spectator to competitor at the Olympics

eventually. He's looking forward to meeting other youth from countries

around the world, but he's also looking for some inspiration.

What he thinks he will take away from the whole experience is " just the fact

that it's possible. "

" If all these other people can get there, so can I. "

Whiteside said she is especially looking forward to seeing the swimming

events, in particular the new 10-kilometre swim.

" I think it will offer inspiration to see everyone else out there who have

done amazing things, " she said.

" Right now I'm looking for inspiration again. "

Whiteside wants to - and likely will - go far in her chosen sport of

swimming, though she's not sure if the Olympics is in her future.

" I personally swim farther distances than they have available right now, "

she said. " I swam across Lake Ontario when I was 16. "

Whiteside is studying microbiology at the University of Guelph, where she is

also on the swim team, is a speaker for the Arthritis Society as someone who

has lived with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since age two, and has received

many special distinctions, including being recognized as one of Youth in

Motion's Top 20 Under 20.

As a marathon swimmer she has raised more than $52,000 for the Arthritis

Society.

Next week she will have another impressive feat to add to her already chock

full resume: Running in the torch relay.

The importance and significance of such an honour isn't lost on Whiteside,

who turns into a bundle of nerves when talking about it.

" I'm kind of scared. I don't know how big it is, " said Whiteside, who is

worried about the size of the torch, and managing it while running and

representing Canada at the same time.

" I'm a little bit of a klutz, " she said. " I don't want to fall. "