It was a special day for the students of Mrs. Waters Grade 4/5 class last week when Canadian Olympian Will Dutton paid them a visit at Arrowview Elementary.
Speed skater Dutton, 24, from Regina, was in town visiting family and paying a special visit to some of his biggest fans at the Qualicum Beach school. For Dutton, it was a great time to come in and say hello to the kids who followed him closely during his journey at the Sochi Olympics earlier this year.
Dutton, whose niece Eva is a student in the class, spent time taking pictures, signing autographs on anything the kids could find, including a few foreheads.
“These kids sent a giant book along with pictures they drew and messages from everyone in the class, it was pretty cool,” Dutton said. “I had the book with me over there in Sochi and it was nice to read their messages and their well wishes while I was getting ready to race over there. To come back here and be able to see them in person and talk to them, it means a lot for sure.”
The kids in the class were more than thrilled to have the Olympian in their classroom, sharing his stories and answering questions. He even took time at the end of his visit for a game of “man hunter” with the kids, a modified game of tag.
“He’s so fast, he caught all of us except for like, two!” said one of the students as he caught his breath after the game.