Hon. Katherine Hay: Honourable senators and distinguished guests, today I rise to recognize the champions of champions: Team Canada, our Olympic heroes. They represent our country in an incredible way in every sport, in Canada and around the world.

This is what I know to be true: The hardest part is often getting to the start line, and then comes that extra gear, the focus, trusting in their training, in themselves and in their team.

Here’s what else I know to be true: True champions of champions have grit and perseverance, enormous ability, leadership and courage, but they also do something extraordinary. They have a drive to have an impact in their communities, in their country and for their country — public service.

Here in this chamber, honourable colleagues, we have two incredible champions of champions. One of them is among Canada’s most decorated Olympians, also with three gold medals, Senator Marnie McBean from Ontario.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

Senator Hay: And we also have Senator Chantal Petitclerc, the most decorated female track athlete in the world, with 21 medals.

Now I turn to Andre De Grasse, a true champion on the track and off for all youth in Canada. He has participated in three Olympic Games, five World Athletics Championships and two Pan American Games, and he has seven medals and counting.

Yesterday, a youth member from the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club asked him, “Do you ever want to quit?” He paused and — I’m going to paraphrase him — said:

Yeah, many times — there are setbacks, injuries, even doubt — but you find that extra gear, a bit more strength, dust off, focus forward and keep sprinting —

 — and in his case, very fast.

Let me tell you something else about this champion of champions: He also focuses on making a difference. In the early days of COVID, Andre reached out to me and said he was worried about our youth and wanted to help. He worked with a young person, Jesse, and his father, and they launched the virtual movement Race With Me! that rippled across Canada. Kids were racing with Andre during COVID. He raised awareness about how it’s okay to not be okay. He helped kids know that there was something else that they could do. That is empowerment.

When I had the privilege of joining you at your high school in Markham, Ontario, a year later, those kids came to race with you, Andre, but also to thank you. They, too, were champions.

My friend, not only have you inspired this country, but you have impacted and saved lives. Andre De Grasse, commonly — and cutely — known as “De Grasse,” is a champion of champions.

Canada needs to invest in our Olympic athletes. We need to invest in sports for young athletes of all kinds, at all levels and in every community, not only for mental health and well-being but for future Olympic athletes and Team Canada.

From my heart, Andre, thank you for everything that you have done for all of us.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!