November 17, 2009

Canadian Olympic rower Darcy Marquardt presented students with new sports equipment and sports bags at Elsie Roy Elementary School in Vancouver for Active Adventure Day yesterday. (Carmine Marinelli, 24 Hours)

A gym full of elementary school students gasped in awe when Olympian Darcy Marquardt told them she has won 12 medals.

Marquardt, a Canadian Olympic rower, was a guest speaker at Elsie Roy elementary school’s Active Adventure Days yesterday.

The school received soccer balls, jerseys and sports bags filled with school supplies.

The school was one of 11 to receive bags because it is an inner-city school, and because they have

“Olympic impact,” due to their location, according to Coun. Andrea Reimer.

Parents may not have the income for their kids to access programs, so access through school is very important, she said.