Olympic medallist Alysha Newman celebrated at Quarry party

By Brock Weir

After her Bronze Medal triumph at the Paris Olympics this month, pole-vaulter Alysha Newman returned to Caledon on Friday night to a hero's welcome.

Newman's Olympic success – a personal best – was celebrated at the C3 James Dick Quarry on August 23.

The event, organized by Barrie Shepley, who had just returned from his own three-week Olympic journey with Team Canada, was designed to be a community celebration and a way to not only honour Newman but her Bolton-based trainers as well.

Speaking to The Citizen when she arrived at the beach, Newman described her Olympic experience as “so cool.”

“I think the Olympics and being there – I always say this to people: you're in an environment where everyone feels like they're going to win, so being in an environment where everyone is motivated, excited to be at the game, ready to compete and ready to put on a show for their country is an indescribable feeling, but it only elevates you as a human and an athlete.

“You're almost hungry for more, hungry to be back in that environment. [That's it] with every Olympic games I have been to – that's why I have done three now – because I want to keep going.”

While hailing from Toronto, Newman says she has found both athletic and personal success in Caledon.

“Caledon was so nice,” she says about why she came to Bolton. “I love Toronto as the city, but I needed something a little more calm and a little bit more quaint and more family-driven. I wanted to be in an environment where I can run on the trails, go on the soccer fields, and can be outside with my dog. I just wanted a little more space, so coming to Caledon has been so peaceful – is that a good word?” she said with a laugh.

Newman is coached in Bolton by former Olympic pole-vaulter Doug Wood and Zeke Krykorka.

The homecoming event included live music, sport activities, and a formal recognition of Newman and her coaches.

“The C3 James Dick Quarry has tried to be an awesome community place where families can cool off, where further athletes can train and where it becomes a great place of energy for the community,” said Shepley in a statement ahead of her arrival. “In 2021, we had Tina Lawrence and the mothers of the women's soccer team, sitting on our beach, watching live the Gold Medal game where their daughter's won gold.  They were back a week later with the medals.  This time, it will be Alysha Newman and her coaches on our beach.”