Lucknow, Ont. cheering on local Olympian
The signs supporting Julie-Anne Staehli’s pursuit of Olympic glory are popping up every place you can imagine, in and around her hometown of Lucknow.
“Signs everywhere. Everyone is getting involved. We had a little contest on the Facebook group, encouraging people to decorate and they have just gone with it,” says neighbour and Staehli supporter, Chris Hackett.
Staehli, 27, who actually grew up just outside of Lucknow, is one of 57 track and field athletes representing Canada in Tokyo. She’ll be running the 5,000 metre (five kilometre) race, which she qualified for by setting personal best times below 15 minutes this spring.
“During COVID when facilities were closed down, the local gym was good enough to lend weights and workout gear. She was always running the roads out here, her mom biking beside her, trying to keep up, because she’s so fast,” says Cathy Gibson.
Hackett and Gibson started a Facebook group called Julie Anne’s Journey to the Tokyo Olympics with updates and trivia about the local Olympian. They’ve even collected over $6,000 in donations from the community to support Staehli’s journey to Tokyo.
“She’s a small town girl, but she’s on a big stage,” says Hackett.
Staehli’s Olympic debut, in the women’s 5,000 m qualifying heats, is scheduled for early Friday morning. Lucknow and the surrounding area will be watching.
“There’s going to be a lot of early morning Bailey’s and coffee, that’s for sure,” says Gibson.
You can follow Julie-Anne’s Journey to Tokyo, through her community’s eyes, here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.