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A taste of the Olympics

Nearly 300 students at Uplands Elementary School took part in their own Olympics

A taste of the Olympics.

That’s what nearly 300 Uplands Elementary School students had an opportunity to do last week week as the school hosted its first Winter Olympics.

“For some students this is the first time they’ve ever experienced really truly an Olympics,” said Uplands principal Andrea DeVito amid the background noise of happy screams coming from the young athletes. “They’ve come up with a team cheer and drawn a flag and today after opening ceremonies they will rotate through eight Olympic themed stations where they participate in things like bobsledding, ice skating, hockey and learn all about the Olympics.”

In total there were 16 teams and the students got to pick which country they wanted to represent.

The various stations featured simulated and improvised disciplines including a biathlon which, instead of a rifle, athletes threw foam noodles into a net and the bobsleighs which were actually small, four-wheeled dollies.

At the end of the event the winners, and everyone else, got to stand on the podium.

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Makayla Gold keeps her eye on the prize as official David Hird sets up this hockey shot in the gym. Mark Brett/Western News
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Emma Tarrant’s expression says it all as she and teammate Amy Lee compete in the doubles bobsleigh-style race at the Uplands Elementary School winter Olympics Thursday. See Page 7 for more photos. Mark Brett/Western News
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Jordan LaBerge carries the colours of the country his team was representing. Mark Brett/Western News