Mark Ideson felt the weight and support of his country behind him.
The three-time Paralympic medallist in curling was one of several Canadian athletes who were paraded through Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on Thursday as they were set to head to Italy for the Paralympic Games.
“Definitely feeling the support of Canadians when we’re parading through the airport, people flying all over the world are standing up and giving us applause,” said Ideson. “It’s such a unique experience to represent your country, and you feel like you have the weight and the strength of the country behind you, cheering you on the whole way.”
Athletes were paraded from security all the way to the gate for their flight.
Air Canada employees held Canadian flags and started chants of “Go Team Canada,” as people waiting for their flights stood and cheered and recorded the moment on their phones.
Many of the athletes were beaming as they made their way through the airport, seeing all the people showing their support and applauding them.
“It’s pretty awesome,” snowboarder Tyler Turner said. “I mean, this is my second time doing this, so it’s pretty cool this time to have the spectators have all the people around. It brings that extra energy.
“What’s the coolest is to see those people doing it for the first time, Chase (Nicklin) and Phil (Nadreau), and just the wonder, the joy in their eyes, and actually doing this. It’s pretty cool, and yeah, it gets real fast, and I’m pretty stoked. Let’s do it.”
The emotional sendoff wasn’t the only thing that had Turner, the reigning Paralympic champion in men’s snowboard cross, excited. It was also the buildup toward the Games that finally came to an end.
“It’s a long buildup. It’s a long buildup, but it’s here,” he said. “We’re still 11 days away, still got some anxiety and some waiting and prep and everything. But we’re here.
“We’re headed to Europe. Every day is a little closer, and then all of a sudden, you’re going to be in the start gate. That’s when it’s real.”
The chance for family and friends to attend this time around also excited Ideson.
COVID-19 restrictions didn’t allow for any spectators at the 2022 Beijing Games. Ideson said having a crowd instead of silence will be nice.
“The coolest part is to get to experience this with my teammates and the support staff that we have going with us and to have our friends and family back in the stands this year,” he said. “The Beijing Games were amazing, but it was super quiet without friends and family in the stands.
“It will be really important to help boost us over there, and we’re curling in an incredible, historic venue. It’s going to be really cool to put the Maple Leaf on and do the best we can for Canada.”
