'Childhood dream of mine': Winnipegger excited and ready to make his Olympic debut
The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing is a dream come true for one Winnipeg athlete who will be making his Olympic debut.
Tyson Langelaar will be representing Canada in two speed skating events: the 1500m and the Team Pursuit races.
"That has a nice ring to it," Langelaar said when asked what it is like to hear Olympian next to his name.
The 22-year-old athlete started skating at a young age and said growing up in Winnipeg just meant everyone was on the ice.
"So my parents put me into skating lessons when I was young, just to kind of have a social skill to make friends, and I just really enjoyed skating fast in circles at the end of practice," said Langelaar.
He said he saw speed skating on TV one day and he knew he wanted to give it a try.
Once he got into the sport, Langelaar said he realized he had a chance to go far in his skating career.
"I qualified for the Canada Winter Games as a 15-year-old in 2015. So I was one of the younger skaters. I was doing alright throughout the competition, but the very last event, the mass start, I won gold actually and then that kind of made me realize, 'Oh, I belong here.'"
The following year he made his first Junior Worlds and then in 2019 he joined the World Cup team full-time and won a bronze in Team Pursuit that same year.
When he was announced as being one of the members of Team Canada, he said he felt relief and then excitement washed over him.
"Just realizing that I've accomplished this childhood dream of mine at only 22-years-old … so it's kind of nice to just reflect back on and think about everyone that helped you along and all the things that you did and sacrificed to make this happen."
He said it is humbling to join the list of speed skaters from Winnipeg and Manitoba such as Cindy Klassen and Clara Hughes – two athletes he called "Manitoba speed skating royalty."
Now that he has made the Olympics, Langelaar's next goal to end up on the podium.
"If your dream is to go to the Olympics, I don't think it is to just go there and not skate as fast as you can," he said. "The next goal is to get over there and prepare myself to be able to skate to the best of my abilities and try to represent Canada to the best I can and see how far up the leaderboard I can get myself."
He hopes this is one of many Olympics to come, adding he is extremely excited to hit the ice for the first time in Beijing.
Langelaar and the rest of the team will be leaving to Beijing on Jan. 26.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.