Two ex-Olympians, a Paralympian, a world champion, a pioneering ice hockey team and a long-standing Kelowna sports tradition.
There was no shortage of athletic talent or competitive spirit on display at the Coast Capri Hotel on Thursday morning when the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame officially honored their 2017 class.
• • Malindi Elmore – athlete
Elmore realized a childhood dream in 2004 when she competed at the 2004 Olympic Games at 1,500 meters.
She was a four-time Canadian champion in the 1,500, Olympic champion in 2012, and bronze medalist in the 2003 World University Games.
Elmore, 37, said her career would not have been possible without the support of family, coaches, and so many others in the community.
“I am very grateful for the support I have had over the years to continue my life as an athlete,” said Elmore, a graduate of KSS. “I think it takes a village to raise an athlete, so to the city of Kelowna, to my schools, to my university, to everyone over the years … they have all inspired me over the years.”
• • Conrad Leinemann – athlete
An accomplished athlete in high school in Kelowna, Leinemann took his skills to a new level in 1995 when he won the Canadian Beach Volleyball Championship.
Leinemann, a KLO graduate, won the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg in 1999. Among the many successes in his beach volleyball career was competing for Canada at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, where his team finished ninth overall.
“It is an amazing honor to be welcomed with all of these amazing athletes and builders from the Okanagan who are truly honored,” said Leinemann, who regards the Olympic Games as the highlight of his career. “Number one is the Olympics, where Canada is on the world stage and the opening ceremonies are held in front of 110,000 people. That makes me shudder.”
• • Garett Hickling – athlete
Hickling became paraplegic after falling at the age of 16 and became one of Canada’s most famous wheelchair athletes of all time.
During his career in wheelchair rugby, Hickling won four medals at the Paralympic Games and five World Cup medals – including a gold medal. He was also Canada’s standard bearer at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Hickling, who now lives in London, Ontario, traveled to Kelowna for the induction ceremony.
“It’s been an incredible career, I’ve met a lot of great people and made great friends,” said Hickling. “Thank you to everyone who was here to share this special celebration with us.”
Hickling was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
• • Chris Taneda – Builder
Taneda is synonymous with karate in the central Okanagan and a six-time Canadian karate champion and four-time world champion.
He was named Trainer of the Year for Karate BC in 2005 and was the 2010 Olympic torchbearer for Canada. Taneda also received the Diamond Jubilee Medal for Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.
“I feel very humiliated to even be considered in the company of people like Conrad and Malindi. It’s an honor to be in this group of people,” said Taneda.
• • Kelowna Buckaroos Hockey Pioneer
The Buckaroos were instrumental in founding Junior A Hockey in Kelowna. After joining the Okanagan Junior League in 1961, the Bucs became one of four original teams in the BC Junior Hockey League in 1967.
The Buckaroos, who won the BCJHL title in 1974, paved the way for the success of the Kelowna Rockets and Kelowna Minor Hockey of the WHL.
Former accountant and supporter of the team, Tun Wong, accepted the honor on behalf of the Buckaroos.
“One common thing we all had was the fact that we loved hockey,” said Wong. “In those early days there was no compensation, the children played for the love of the game, to provide wonderful entertainment for the mad ice hockey fans in the city of Kelowna.”
• • Western Canada Basketball Tournament – Bennett Award
With a rich 44-year history, this year’s western Canada basketball tournament was particularly recognized by the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame.
The annual tournament at Kelowna Secondary School has become one of the most prestigious high school basketball events in the country and continues to attract elite teams every February.
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