The Government of Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees, received more than 250 Canadian athletes and coaches in Ottawa and Gatineau to celebrate their achievements at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The day kicked off with sport fairs at the University of Ottawa and the Centre Sportif de Gatineau, where Olympians and Paralympians engaged local elementary school students in various sport activities to encourage physical activity and sport participation. The morning also included Facebook Live sessions with athletes and students from across Canada.
The athletes and coaches then attended a luncheon hosted by Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, where they received their Olympic and Paralympic rings. They were also welcomed into the House of Commons to be honoured by all members of Parliament. The House rose in extended applause as each athlete paraded across the floor, an honour reserved for only very special guests.
