The public is invited to Canada Games Plaza on Friday to give local rugby player Joel Ewert a Prince George sendoff as he heads to France for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
It will happen from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear red or Canada-themed gear.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will take place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
Ewert makes his Paralympics debut with Team Canada's wheechair rugby team. Born with cerebral palsy, he is also a standout wheelchair basketball player.
He first gained attention from rugby coaches while competing for Team BC in wheelchair basketball at the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
By 2017, he was part of the national wheelchair rugby team, competing internationally.
In April 2024, Ewert played a key role in Team Canada’s silver medal win at the last-chance Paralympic qualifying event, securing their spot in Paris.
Ewert has completed a degree in biomedical studies at the University of Northern British Columbia and has been accepted into the University of British Columbia’s Northern Medical Program in Prince George.
A Canadian flag will be presented to Ewert at the event, and attendees will have the opportunity to sign it with well wishes for his journey to Paris.
The event is being organized by the City of Prince George, MLA Shirley Bond and MP Todd Doherty, who will be present.
No RSVP is required, and everyone is welcome to attend.
Foodie Friday begins at the plaza at noon.
