Nick Wammes with his family. 2021 Submitted photo.Nick Wammes with his family. 2021 Submitted photo.
Sarnia

Dawn-Euphemia native headed to Olympics

A resident of Dawn-Euphemia will represent Canada at the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Mayor Al Broad shared with Lambton County Council that Nick Wammes is competing in sprint cycling.

"I've been hesitant to mention that, as the Olympics were in question due to the pandemic," said Broad. "Although his hometown and residence is reported as Bothwell, he was born and raised in Dawn-Euphemia and he resides in Dawn-Euphemia."

The 21-year-old represented Canada at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, and won three national titles at the 2019 Canadian Championships, finishing first in the keirin, sprint and team sprint events.

Wammes finished ninth in sprint at a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) World Cup stop in Milton in January, 2020.

"The sacrifices of these female and male athletes, along with their families, is unbelievable," said Broad. "Imagine the emotions and the stress of being told there would be no Olympics in 2020 due to COVID, after all that training."

County council has wished Wammes the best of luck at the games.

Speaking with Blackburn News, Wammes said he flies to Japan July 24.

"This is my first Olympics," said Wammes. "I'm 21. Hopefully it's the first of a few Olympics. This is definitely my biggest competition ever. The Olympics is the pinnacle of our sport. This is big. This is as big as it gets."

At the time of the interview, he was in the thick of race preparation.

"I'm feeling good. It's starting to come together a little bit. The equipment is here. I'm starting to feel ready physically. Mentally, getting there, the nerves are still there, but I'm excited to get over there and just put it all together."

The Olympics begin July 23 and there will be no spectators in attendance.

Wammes said he'll certainly notice the ban on spectators.

"It's definitely not ideal. We thrive in that environment. You can ask any athlete. When that environment around you is loud and (there's) cheering, it definitely gives that extra bit of edge. But, we've been training in an empty velodrome for a year now. It would be nice, but it is what it is."

The Japanese government put the capital under a COVID-19 state of emergency and announced July 8 that fans would be banned from stadiums and arenas, due to an increase in new infections.

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