BOW VALLEY – Two-time Olympic gold medallist John Morris is mentoring a new generation of curlers.
The International Olympic Committee announced the Canmorite is serving as an Athlete Role Model for young athletes at the Youth Olympic Games in January 2020 in Switzerland after being nominated by the World Curling Federation. Morris will mentor 96 curlers during the event in Lausanne.
The Athlete Role Model for the @youtholympics 2020 has been selected
— World Curling (@worldcurling) July 25, 2019
✌️time Olympic champion, John Morris! 🥇🥇
Full story > https://t.co/ES7trFxG03#Curling #Lausanne2020 pic.twitter.com/h5Ch5If23R
“I’m at the stage of my career where I’m looking to give back to the next generation in the hopes of inspiring new champions,” said Morris, in a press release. “This is extremely important, as I believe it is so vital to have a positive role model to look up to and learn from during your key development years.
“Well, I’m hoping to help make a difference in someone’s life in a positive way. As an athlete myself, I really believe I can relate to what these young athletes are going through.”
Morris and Kaitlyn Lawes struck gold in the Olympic debut of mixed doubles curling in PyeongChang in 2018. In Vancouver 2010, he won gold with Team Kevin Martin in men’s curling.
“I’ve been through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in my career and even if I can just be an ear for when someone is struggling, or help provide a quick pep talk to someone who is having trouble believing in themselves, that will make it worth it for me,” Morris said.
Last year, the decorated curler became a brand ambassador for Qualico Mixed Doubles Classic, which is an all-inclusive World Curling Tour event in the Bow Valley. The hope is that Qualico helps to develop curling and drives it into the Bow Valley athletic culture alongside alpine and Nordic sports.
