Every Olympian and Every Local Athlete Was Once a Beginner

Every other year, when the Olympic Games wrap up, many of us are left feeling inspired. We watch athletes race, spin, shoot, sweep, and soar and no doubt we are in awe. But what we don’t see is the beginning ~ their first time on skates, the first big fall, the first missed shot. Every competitive athlete was once the kid clinging to the boards, the skier who wiped out halfway down the hill or all those players who didn’t make the team the first time.

Trying something new is brave. Improving takes time. And no one (not even an Olympian) skips the beginner stage. That same spirit was on display at the Alberta Winter Games held recently in Northern Alberta, where more than 1,600 young athletes from across the province competed — including over 100 from Lethbridge and southern Alberta. For many, it was their first major multi-sport event. And like the Olympics, it started with someone simply giving it a try.

It All Starts Somewhere

The athletes who stood on podiums at the Alberta Winter Games began just like the Olympians we watched on television. They were just learning, and willing to try.

Most competitive athletes didn’t specialize early. Many played multiple sports. Many simply started because a parent signed them up, a friend invited them, or a teacher encouraged them to try. Either way, it started with participation.

Not every child who signs up for a sport will become an Olympian, but they will gain confidence, friendships, resilience, and joy. And that might just be more important. But sometimes, it does build Olympians 😀

How to Get Started Locally

Lethbridge has a history of producing Olympians, but more importantly, it has a community full of opportunities to begin. If the Games sparked something in your household, here’s the good news: you don’t need to know the full path to the Olympics or even the Alberta Games. You just need to know the first and/or next step. In Lethbridge, children and adults alike can participate in many Winter Olympic sports, including curling, figure skating, hockey, speedskating, and cross country skiing. If you have dreams of snowboarding, bobsleigh or other sports, there are ski hills and training centres within a couple hours drive. If you were inspired by Lethbridge born Olympic bobsledder Taylor Austin and his 14th place finish in 4-man bobsleigh you should know that many sliding sport athletes begin in athletics or other power-based sports. Taylor was recruited to bobsleigh as a brakeman after being a football player at the University of Calgary.

To get started in the local sport opportunities above, a great first step is visiting the sport directory on the Lethbridge Sport Council website to explore local clubs. You can join our “Give it a Try” interest list to make sure you don’t miss out on free opportunities, and you can visit SportFest (May 9 @ Servus Sports Centre) to check out these and many other organizations.

Sport Directory ➞ https://lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/sport-directory
Give it a Try ➞ https://lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/programs/give-it-a-try “
SportFest ➞ https://lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/events/sportfest

The Olympic fever will continue in just a few days, as the next edition of the Paralympic Winter Games will be held between March 6 and 15, 2026 and feature six sports – Para alpine skiing, Para biathlon, Para cross-country skiing, Para ice hockey, Para snowboarding, wheelchair curling. There will be 600 competing athletes from around the world, Learn more about those games here ➞ https://paralympic.ca/games/milano-cortina-2026/

In Lethbridge there are many organizations that support athletes with adaptive needs. Check out our Adaptive listing on our sport directory to see the options ➞ https://lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/sport-directory/wheelchair-adaptive-sports

Winter Olympic Sports You Can Try In Lethbridge

Curling - Curling first appeared at the 1924 Winter Olympics and officially returned in 1998. Originating in Scotland in 1716, the game blends precision, communication, and strategy across 10 ends of play.

The Lethbridge Curling Club offers leagues for men, women, and 50+, along with the McDonald’s Junior Curling Program for ages 8–15. Learn more on their website ➞ https://lethbridgecurlingclub.com/

Speed Skating - Speed skating blends explosive power with technical precision. With roots tracing back to 13th-century Scandinavia, it has grown into a highly competitive sport raced on both long and short tracks around the world.

Four Lethbridge speed skaters competed at the Alberta Winter Games, with Morgan Adema winning a silver and a bronze, Claire Peake capturing 3 golds and 1 bronze, and Ryker Olsen winning 3 bronze. The Lethbridge Speed Skating Association offers First and Fast Strides programs, short learn-to-skate options, and free try-it sessions. Learn more on their website ➞ https://lssask8r.wixsite.com/bridgeblades

Figure Skating - Figure skating is the oldest sport contested at the Winter Olympics. Today it includes men’s and women’s singles, pairs, ice dance, and team events. Athletes are evaluated not only on technical elements but also artistry and interpretation by a panel of judges. Lethbridge’s own Jason Turner represented Canada at the 1994 Winter Olympics.

At the 2026 Alberta Winter Games, 6 Lethbridge athletes from the Lethbridge Skating Club represented zone 1 at the Games. The Lethbridge Skating Club offers CanSkate, PowerSkate, STARSkate, competitive programs, synchro, adult skate, and Parent & Tot options — meaning skaters of all ages can begin their journey. Learn more on their website ➞ https://www.lethbridgeskating.com/

The Southern Alberta Skating Academy offers Canskate, Powerskate, and Figure skating (Star 1-Gold) programs. Learn more on their website ➞ https://southernalbertaskating.ca/

The Lethbridge Learn to Skate Program offers Saturday learn to skate lessons - Learn more on their website ➞ http://www.lethbridgelearntoskate.ca

Ice Hockey - Men’s hockey has been part of the Olympics since 1924, and women’s hockey since 1998. The sport originated in Canada, and even the word “hockey” comes from the old French word hocquet, meaning stick. Locally, Judo Olympian Joe Meli was also the captain of Lethbridge Native Sons Hockey Club which won the gold medal at the 1975 Canada Winter Games. Billy Gibson and his team won gold at the 1952 Olympic Games in Oslo. Rob Klinkhammer and Daryl Boyle were members of the 2018 Canadian Men’s Olympic Hockey Team at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics winning bronze, and Matt Kabayama and Steve Tsujiura represented Japan at the 1998 games in Nagano

At the 2026 Alberta Winter Games the zone 1 female hockey team included players from Lethbridge, Brocket, Claresholm, Coaldale, and Cardston.

In Lethbridge, Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association has a U5 division, and male and female teams in the U7 - U18 divisions, and a U22 female division. Female athletes can play with the Lethbridge Cyclones up to U18, which serves more than 160 players each year from U5 through U18. Learn more on the LMHA website ➞ https://www.lethbridgeminorhockey.com/

The Lethbridge & Area Recreational Hockey Club offers 5 Divisions of unique recreational hockey programs for boys and girls ages 5 - 17. Learn more on their website ➞ http://lethbridgerechockey.com

Lethbridge also has organizations offering Roller Hockey, Junior Female Hockey with the Lethbridge Eagles, Senior AA hockey, Oldtimers hockey, Underwater hockey, powerchair sports, and numerous hockey camp and training programs, which can all be found on the LSC sport directory. Learn more on our sport directory ➞ https://lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/sport-directory/hockey

Skiing/Cross-Country Skiing - The oldest form of skiing began in northern Europe and has been part of the Olympic Winter Games since 1924, with women’s events added in 1952.

While Lethbridge doesn’t have mountain trails for downhill in city limits, families can head to Castle Mountain (https://www.skicastle.ca ) or Pass Powderkeg (https://www.passpowderkeg.com/ )to try out downhill. For dedicated cross-country skiing areas, nearby locations outside the city include the Allison-Chinook Cross Country Ski Area in Crowsnest Pass, Park Lake northwest of Lethbridge, and Waterton Lakes National Park. Equipment can be rented or purchased locally at Alpenland. For many future high-performance athletes, cross-country skiing starts as a family winter activity.

Snowboarding - Snowboarding made its Olympic debut in 1998 in Nagano. Like many winter sports, it begins with learning balance and building confidence one run at a time.

Local riders can head to Castle Mountain or Pass Powderkeg Ski Area. The LCSA Ski and Snowboard Club helps athletes train together and build skills in a team environment.

Bobsleigh - Invented in Switzerland in the late 1860s, bobsleigh was included in the very first Winter Olympic Games in 1924. The name comes from the way early crews would “bob” the sled back and forth at the start to build momentum.

There isn’t a high-speed sliding track in Lethbridge. But that hasn’t stopped local athletes from reaching the top. Taylor Austin, born in Lethbridge, competed at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and the 2026 Games in Milano Cortina. Other Lethbridge bobsleigh connections include coach Florian Linder and Ryan Sommer.

Many bobsleigh athletes begin in athletics, sprinting, or strength sports before ever pushing a sled. RBC Training Ground is another place where sliding athletes are often recruited from. Alberta Bobsleigh hosts Learn-to-Push sessions at Canada Olympic Park, where beginners can experience the start phase under Olympic guidance.

Sports included in the Alberta Winter Games

While the Alberta Winter Games include many winter sports you might recognize from the Olympic program, they also celebrate a wider range of activities that aren’t part of the Winter Olympics but offer fantastic opportunities for youth sport participation, skill-building, and fun competition.

Archery - Archery is a competitive and skill-based sport included in the Alberta Winter Games.
While there were 3 Lethbridge athletes at the Games, fellow Zone 1 athletes Emersyn McNabb (bronze, Medicine Hat) and Kinzie Peatman (gold, Claresholm) stood on the podium. Here's where you can find archery in Lethbridge ➞ https://lethbridgesportcouncil...

Artistic Gymnastics - Artistic gymnastics is a great example of a sport that builds strength, coordination, balance, and confidence, and while it’s a Summer Olympic sport, it’s part of the winter multisport environment at the Alberta Games. Zone 1 gymnast from Lethbridge, Charley Evans made it to the podium 3 times, including Gold - J07 Vault and Bronze - J07 Floor, and Bronze in the team event with Lethbridge teammate Amalia Yavitu. There were 5 Lethbridge athletes at the Games, all train at West Wind Gymnastics Club. Learn more on their website ➞ https://westwindgym.com/

Artistic Swimming - Artistic swimming (formerly synchronized swimming) showcases athleticism, teamwork, and aquatic skill. It isn’t part of the Winter Olympics, but seven Alberta Winter Games participants from Lethbridge and area took part in this sport, gaining competition experience and proudly representing their club, the Lethbridge Synchrobelles. Learn more on their website ➞ https://www.lethsynchro.ca/

Badminton - Badminton may be a Summer Olympic sport, but it’s included at the Alberta Winter Games as a competitive indoor option that challenges agility, speed, and strategy. Six local athletes from Lethbridge competed in badminton in 2026. The Lethbridge Badminton Club offers coaching for all ages, including adult drop-in play year-round. Learn more on their website ➞ https://lethbridgebadmintonclub.ca/

Judo - Judo is a Summer Olympic sport included in the Alberta Winter Games program. Multiple Zone 1 judokas competed, and many took home medals in their divisions — including gold medals for Lethbridge competitors such as Presley Tompkins (silver), Lucas DeMaere (Gold), Miya DeMaere (Gold), Finley Morasch (Gold) Brooklyn Seeman (Gold), Tamara Grayson (Gold), Brooklyn Squarek (Silver), and Jeremy Woods (Silver). The Lethbridge Judo Club offers classes ranging from beginners to experts, and is also home to the Judo Canada Regional Training Centre. Learn more on their website ➞ https://sites.google.com/view/lkjc/

Ringette - Ringette is not an Olympic sport, but it’s a beloved Canadian sport that challenges skating, teamwork, and strategy on ice and is gaining popularity. Nine local athletes and many from other communities participated in 2026 representing Zone 1 and other zones. The Lethbridge Ringette Association has teams for all levels. Learn more on their website ➞ https://www.lethbridgeringette.ca/

Volleyball - Volleyball is a Summer Olympic sport, but it’s included at the Alberta Winter Games as a team-based indoor competition. Zone 1’s female 15U volleyball team claimed gold in 2026 — a terrific achievement for local athletes. There are many volleyball clubs in Lethbridge, we encourage you to check out our Sport Directory for more information about volleyball. Learn more on our website ➞ https://lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/sport-directory/volleyball

Wrestling - Wrestling is another sport that sits outside the Winter Olympic program but brings strength and skill to the Alberta Winter Games. Local wrestlers from Lethbridge as well as Raymond and Stirling represented Zone 1 at the games. Reid Ellis-Toddington won Bronze, while Davi De Moura Fonseca won Silver, and Brody Romeril won Bronze. The Lethbridge Amateur Wrestling Association offers programs for youth from middle school to high school and club wrestling opportunities for all ages. Learn more on their website ➞ https://lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/sport-directory/lethbridge-amateur-wrestling-association

Whether the dream is the Olympic podium, the Alberta Winter Games, or simply making new friends and learning something new, every journey begins the same way — with a first step onto the ice, snow, mat, court, or field. Our local athletes prove that greatness doesn’t start with medals; it starts with participation. In Lethbridge, we are fortunate to have clubs, coaches, volunteers, and facilities that make those first steps possible. So, if the Games sparked even a small sense of curiosity in your household, don’t wait for the “perfect” moment. Sign up. Show up. Try something. Because every athlete was once a beginner.

Learn more about Lethbridge’s Olympians here ➞ https://lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/lethbridges-olympians

Learn more about Lethbridge’s Paralympians here ➞ https://lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/lethbridges-paralympians