Markham celebrates hometown hero Andre De Grasse
'A reflection of everything this community does each and every day'
Markham celebrated Olympic sprinter Andre De Grasse on Sunday with a parade and Rio-themed party.
De Grasse, who hails from Markham, won three medals at the 2016 Olympic Games: a bronze in the men's 100 metre, a silver in the men's 200 metre and a bronze in the men's 4x100-metre relay.
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The city also paid tribute to Markham's Olympic rugby official Rose LaBrèche and fencer Maxime Brinck-Croteau.
De Grasse rode along with Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti in the parade. Later, the mayor unveiled a sign for Andre De Grasse Street — a local road is slated to be named after the sprinter.
At a party aftewards, attended by hundreds of residents and fans, Scarpitti turned to the returning Olympians and told them, "It's a day like today, when we can celebrate the success of individuals, which really I think is a reflection of everything this community does each and every day ... You're not only winners at sports."
Wearing his medals, an emotional De Grasse thanked his mother. "It meant everything to me, to have her there," he said, wiping away tears as the crowd cheered.
