Twenty-two year-old athlete, Gunnar Holmgren, was named Orillia’s 2021 Athlete of the Year at a special presentation at the virtual Orillia Council meeting held on March 7, 2022.
Gunnar Holmgren had a standout year in 2021. Holmgren represented Ontario at the 2021 Canadian National Mountain Bike Championship in the under 23 men’s category. Holmgren was awarded first place at the Canada Cup in Quebec, ninth place at the World Cup in West Virginia, and ninth place at the World Cup in Switzerland. Among all of his accomplishments, Holmgren is the reigning under 23 cyclocross Canadian national champion.
“I am honoured to receive this award and to be named Orillia’s 2021 Athlete of the Year. I would like to express my gratitude for the support I have received throughout my athletic career from the City of Orillia and its citizens who have played a key role in my development and success,” said Holmgren.
Nominated by Marc Ackert, Holmgren is described as an athlete who “provide[s] an enriching environment that cultivates excellence in skills, performance, and attitude through a tradition of teamwork, commitment and humility”.
“On behalf of Orillia City Council and the Recreation Advisory Committee, I’d like to congratulate Gunnar on his outstanding year and thank him for his ongoing commitment to leadership in his sport. His dedication and hard work will no doubt serve him well in his other life pursuits,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “It is wonderful to see a return to sport for our local athletes and to watch them getting back to their passions moving forward.”
Due to the inability for athletes to train or compete in many sports because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City paused the annual Athlete of the Year Award during 2020.
The 2021 award winner was selected by a 10-member panel of local judges representing Orillia Secondary School, Twin Lakes Secondary School, Patrick Fogarty Secondary School, Orillia Today, OrilliaMatters, Orillia Sport Council and the City of Orillia Recreation Advisory Committee.
