Nova Scotia’s Ellie Black, one of the most decorated athletes to come out of the 2015 Pan Am Games, touched down in her home province Thursday evening.
For dozens of little gymnasts at her home club in Halifax, that news is as big as it gets.
“She's amazing. She has a lot of courage, and I think she never gives up,” said Myah Knickle, a 10-year-old gymnast at the Halifax Alta Gymnastics Club.
She and other young fans at Black’s home club have watched her win five medals — three gold, one silver and one bronze — over the course of these games.
“They just love it. She's such an inspiration to them,” gymnast Gen Erjavec said of Alta’s younger athletes.
Erjavec, who has trained with Black, says she’s enjoyed watching her friend’s success.
“It's crazy, but she's worked so hard. She definitely deserves it. She’s been doing awesome,” she said.
Next week, Black will be back at the Alta Gymnastics Club — this time, as a coach at a camp for competitive gymnastics.
“We do have all our regular coaches, who are great coaches and highly qualified, but there's just something special when Ellie's out there with the kids,” said Carleen Cavanagh, Alta’s head coach.
Cavanagh says Black’s ability to inspire extends well beyond Alta’s gymnasts.
“She gets letters from all across the country from little gymnasts writing to her,” Cavanagh said.
“Sometimes they're written in crayon when they arrive here, and she always takes the time to answer them all.”
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kayla Hounsell
