Last week a statement made in a newspaper article more than a decade ago came true for a former Virden resident.
The lead paragraph of a Jan. 14, 2011 Virden Empire-Advance story written by Tori Elliott read: “Nine year old Virden speed skater Alexa Scott is an Olympian.” The article, under the headline “Local speed skater dreams Olympic dreams,” went on to explain that, at a Winnipeg speed skating camp, national coach Marcel Lacroix told Alexa Scott she could be an Olympian “with a little bit of determination.” He was right.
On Jan. 17, Speed Skating Canada announced the now 20-year-old Alexa Scott had been nominated to compete for her county in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. That same day, the daughter of Virden’s Judy and Malcolm Scott learned in an email she will be making her Olympic debut next month.
“Making the Games has been my biggest goal for years and to get to wear the maple leaf on the world's biggest stage is the greatest honour,” Alexa Scott said. “I am super excited to compete.”
She earned her spot on the team with a strong debut season at the senior World Cup level. Although she is in the neo senior age category, her placing at the Canadian championships bumped her up to the senior ranks for World Cup competitions. In just her second senior World Cup, Alexa Scott helped the Team Canada win silver in the women’s team sprint.
At the Winter Olympics, which run Feb. 4-20, the long track speed skater will compete in the 1000m. As well, she will serve as an alternate for the team pursuit, which has multiple rounds at the Olympics.
“I am looking forward to racing at the Olympic Games because it’s a totally new experience,” Alexa Scott said. “It is one of the only multisport events to be held and to be in that environment will be challenging but also fun.”
In Virden, her mother said their daughter making the Olympic team means so much to the couple. Throughout her athletic career her parents, who moved the family to Clandeboye when she was 10 and returned to Virden last spring, have been there for her.
“Her love of speed skating quickly became a way of life for our family,” Judy Scott said. “It’s so rewarding to see her hard work and passion reward her with her Olympic dreams. We could not be more proud of our amazing daughter.”
Malcolm Scott said:
“It’s an unbelievable feeling of pride and joy to see Alexa's dream of representing Canada at the Olympics come true. We feel as a family very honoured to be part of her journey as it soon becomes a way of life getting to all the practices and games in order for her to move ahead.”
Due to restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Judy and Malcolm Scott are unable to attend the Olympics. They will cheer on their daughter from home. The skater said earlier this week that she is in a “COVID bubble.” Alexa Scott is pleased the athletes are still able to skate and is looking forward to the Olympics.
