Olympic gold medallist Ethan Katzberg (second from left) unveils a new sign, to be placed at the hammer and shotput cage at Nanaimo's Rotary Bowl, during a ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 26. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

champion

‘It’s really special:’ Nanaimo’s Olympic gold medallist returns home

Sep 26, 2024 | 11:38 AM

NANAIMO — He might live and train in B.C.’s interior now, but Ethan Katzberg got a raucous hometown welcome back to the Harbour City.

Canada’s first ever gold medallist in the men’s hammer throw event at the Paris Olympics, Ethan Katzberg returned to his old high school and training grounds in Nanaimo on Thursday, Sept. 26, receiving a hero’s ovation for his exploits earlier this year.

Speaking to NanaimoNewsNOW before an event at John Barsby Secondary School, Katzberg said coming back to the region has been great and allowed him to reconnect with lots of people.

“The sense of community coming back is really special. I haven’t been back in a year and a half or something, it’s been a while so coming and seeing everybody and celebrating the Olympics is truly a great moment.”

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Katzberg, 22, arrived back earlier in the week and spent much of Wednesday, Sept. 25 touring different areas of the community.

Every step of the way, he’s taken photos, signed autographs and embraced the attention which comes with a world-beating performance on the biggest stage in sports.

“I went to Red’s [Bakery] because there’s a cheesecake there I had to get and it was really great. I’ve been back to the Nanaimo Track and Field Club, met all of the new junior development kids there. Coming back to Barsby here, I’m really excited for it and seeing all the familiar faces.”

While speaking to students at the school Katzberg graduated from in 2020, he answered a handful of questions from students about the Olympics and revealed he got the chance to meet and shake hands with legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps.

He also had the opportunity to meet Snoop Dogg when the pair were in the same room in Paris, but Katzberg said the rapper was receiving a manicure-pedicure, which prevented introductions.

Katzberg credited his time at Barsby for getting him started in athletics.

“I did everything I could, all the basketball, cross country, track and field at John Barsby, football too. I siphoned everything out and decided to do the hammer throw and take it from there. Here at Barsby, it was a really great foundation for my sporting career.”

Katzberg spoke to staff and students at John Barsby Secondary School on Thursday, answering questions about his Olympic experience. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Staff and students at Barsby also presented Katzberg with a school hoodie and a ‘Thor’ hammer with the school logo on it.

The assembly at Katzberg’s former school was attended by hundreds of staff and students, and preceded a large community celebration at Rotary Bowl.

Students from several schools in the District packed the stands, in addition to members of the public.

Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog proclaimed Sept. 26 as “Ethan Katzberg Day”, and the Nanaimo Track and Field Club officially renamed the hammer and shotput cage at the facility after Katzberg.

Katzberg noted Team Canada’s performances at the Olympics have no doubt encouraged kids into sport.

“There’s definitely a younger generation who’s been inspired by the Olympics and watching a familiar face come out and win the thing, so it’s really special seeing kids inspired to take on the hammer.”

In addition to saluting Ethan Katzberg, several Olympians and Paralympians from Nanaimo’s past were honoured at Rotary Bowl on Thursday, Sept. 26. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Thursday’s ceremony at Rotary Bowl also paid tribute to other mid-Island Olympians who joined Katzberg on stage.

Ray Telford captained the men’s soccer team at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Scott Neilson was a hammer thrower at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, Pamela Rai won a swimming bronze medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Susan Reid-Schellinck was a member of Canada’s women’s field hockey team at the 1992 Barcelona games.

Finally, Michelle Stilwell was honoured for her six Paralympic gold medals and one silver medal in wheelchair basketball and athletics at Paralympics in Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016.

While Katzberg is currently enjoying some deserved time off, he said his next major competition is next September at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, where he’ll look to defend his world championship.

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