Canadian Olympian Will Bring Determination Message to Students at Waterfront Campus

Posted on Thursday, August 13th, 2015

Winning gold at the Pan Am Games was a very special moment for Melissa Bishop. After years of training, the Canadian Olympian celebrated one of the greatest races of her career and triggered an outpouring of pride across the Ottawa Valley.

As she now prepares for the World Track and Field Championships in China, and ultimately another crack at winning a medal at the 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Bishop will find time this fall to tell her inspiring story at Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus.

Becoming a world class athlete in a sport as competitive as running requires motivation, perseverance and commitment—all attributes demonstrated by Bishop’s gruelling training schedule. Bishop is a role model for all young people who have a dream and are willing to do what it takes to be successful.

Algonquin College has invited Bishop to be part of its orientation for new students. She will speak to the incoming class on September 15^th in the Student Commons area about determination, telling her story about the highs and lows of being an amateur athlete. It will be an inspirational message to the students at a time when they are just getting started on their career pathway.

For many students, the first few weeks of post-secondary education can be intimidating. That’s why colleges plan a variety of orientation activities focusing on opportunities for students to connect with other students and college staff. These activities can focus on academics or social experiences.

Bishop can relate to what it’s like for a student to experience post-secondary education for the first time. After graduating from Opeongo High School, she moved away from home to attend the University of Windsor. While in university, she continued to work towards her goal of making Canada’s Olympic team while completing a Bachelor’s Degree. In 2012, she competed in the London, England summer games, but a disappointing performance, has left her hungrier than ever to return to the Olympics in 2016.

Now 26 years of age, Bishop recognizes that she still has lots of work to do as she prepares to face the world’s best athletes. In fact, she must still qualify for Canada’s Olympic team by finishing in the top three in her sport at the country’s national track and field championships. Given her passion for running and her determination, we can expect to see Bishop next summer in Brazil, proudly representing her country.

Bishop’s visit to the college will be very special for the students. Many will have never met an Olympian and at a time when a lot of young people are apprehensive about their future, Bishop’s engaging story will deliver a clear message that hard work pays off.

Posted by Jamie Bramburger, Manager of Community and Student Affairs

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