Eric Mitchell Named Young Ambassador To 2016 Youth Olympic Winter Games

Former national team ski jumper Eric Mitchell has been selected as Canada’s Young Ambassador to the 2016 World Youth Olympic Winter Games (YOG).

“I’m thrilled to be named Canada’s Young Ambassador to these games,” says the 23-year-old Calgary native. “This is a chance for me to give back to the sporting community that has already given me so much. It’s an absolutely huge honour.”

The role of the Young Ambassadors is to help athletes on their respective national teams get the most out of their YOG experience. Mitchell, the only Canadian among the 39 Young Ambassadors selected, will encourage athletes to interact with people from different sports and backgrounds and to take part in a unique program of activities and workshops, including sessions on healthy eating, injury prevention, anti-doping, careers in sport and media training.

“Beyond excited!” is how Mitchell describes the chance to help lead Canada’s young team. “The Youth Olympic Games embodies so many values that I believe in,” he says. “Leading these amazing athletes from all sports, including my own, is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Mitchell began ski jumping when he was only eight years old. “We are so lucky here in Calgary to have the only grassroots ski jumping program in the entire country. From the second I first jumped off the K18, I was hooked and my love for the sport just kept on growing. Eventually, after many years of training, I was able to realize my biggest goal and wildest dream: representing my country in 2010 at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. I wouldn’t have made it without the support of my family, the jumping community and the training facilities at Canada Olympic Park.”

After realizing he would not qualify for the 2014 Sochi games, Mitchell made the difficult decision to retire. “Although I walked away from competitive ski jumping, I did not walk away from sport,” he says. “Since retiring, I’ve participated in many events with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), most notably being a founding ambassador of the #OneTeam, which advocates for inclusion in sport.”

Mitchell feels ski jumping opened doors to experiences few people could imagine. “For five years I chased my dreams around the globe, meeting many friends, training and competing with the best in the world, and really discovering who I am.”

“I believe every child should have the opportunity to participate in whatever sport their heart desires,” says Mitchell. “I want to inspire young people in our communities to become active and embrace the Olympic values. As a Young Ambassador, it’s my hope that our Canadian athletes will come away from these games with new sports skills to perform to the best of their ability, and the life skills to be true ambassadors of their sport.”

The World Youth Winter Olympic Games will be held in Lillehammer, Norway from February 12-21, 2016.

For more information, please contact:
Tom Reid                                                Eric Mitchell
Chair, Ski Jumping Canada                        Young Ambassador, 2016 YOG
Email: tomreid@skijumpingcanada.com                 Email:Eric.d.mitchell@icloud.com
Cell: 403-669-0630                                         Cell: 403-401-2122