麻豆社区

Yukon Olympian Zach Bell returned home this week for the first time since competing at the 2012 London Olympics.

The 29-year-old cyclist is back in Watson Lake, Yukon, to spend time with young athletes in physical education classes at the two area schools.

Bell spent yesterday at Watson Lake Secondary School, before attending an evening meet-and-greet in the community.

Today, he will spend the day inspiring young athletes at Johnson Elementary School, before making his way to Whitehorse tomorrow in time for the Sport Yukon Awards Banquet scheduled for Thursday.

"This trip is a return to my roots and that is what I want the kids of the community to see,鈥� Bell said in a press release. "I plan to give a message and then join right in with their active daily routine. I know when I was growing up, having an Olympian join my floor hockey game would have been the greatest thing ever.

"I want these kids to understand it is normal people with humble upbringings that make up the Olympic team, go on to race for teams like SpiderTech, and travel the world just because they stayed involved in sport. It will also be a good way for me to get back to my job of delivering that message of sport and what it can do to change communities.鈥�

This will be Bell's first public appearance in the Yukon since the tragic death of his infant son, Paxton.

Last month, he and his wife Rebecca's son died just three days after his birth, after suffering an acute brain event due to a lack of oxygen during the late stages of pregnancy.

Bell has had a busy fall season, winning the Pro Spring Challenge in Quebec, starting the Yukon Sport Access Fund, and making a keynote speech for the Cancervive gala and ride in Calgary.

Now Bell is coming back home to bring his message of sport to the community where he grew up.

"I am very excited to finally be able to reach the next generation of kids growing up in Watson Lake,鈥� he said. "I want to help them see all the things that sport can bring to their lives, even in a small community like Watson Lake. It has been many, many years since I have been able to be back and this will be the first time since I have been competitive in cycling that I will make my way there.

"This community made me who I am and they have always been behind the things I have been doing as much as possible. I hope this can be the start of me helping to return so much of that good will.鈥�

Bell's trip was made possible with the help of Sport Yukon and Air North.