Kincardine teen to compete in regional final for “Future Olympian” prospects

Amelia Arciszewski (above and at right) of Kincardine loves sports, and she enjoys playing several different sports, including gymnastics, basketball, volleyball and soccer.

A strong athlete, she attended an Olympic talent search event, called RBC Training Ground, held last month in Toronto.

She performed so well there that she has been invited to attend a regional final, June 2, at the Pan Am Sports Centre in Toronto, with the top 100 “Future Olympian” prospects from across Ontario.

The daughter of Ed and Karen Arciszewski, Amelia is in Grade 11 at Sacred Heart High School in Walkerton.

She says her passion for sports began at a young age when her parents registered her in several different ones to see which ones she liked.

“Well, it turns out that I love all of them,” says Amelia, with a laugh. “However, my biggest passions are gymnastics and soccer which I have pursued quite competitively for a number of years.”

Currently, she is training for Level 8 in gymnastics at DanceMakers in Owen Sound, and playing L1 soccer with Waterloo United. She also plays high school basketball, volleyball and soccer, and competes in track and field.

With regard to the Olympic talent search, Amelia says her parents urged her to attend.

“I didn't have that much interest in it,” she says, “but my parents thought I had a shot. Going into the competition, I just tried to look at it as a learning experience.”

Now, as she advances to the regional final, she is mostly excited but a bit nervous too. “I just want to go out, do my best, learn from the other individuals there, and see what happens.”

RBC Training Ground is a partnership, including the Canadian Olympic Committee, several national sport federations, and RBC. It gives local athletes – no matter what sport they are involved in - the chance to test their strength, speed and endurance in front of officials from 14 Olympic sports, and earn “Future Olympian” funding from RBC.

So, how would Amelia feel if she were named a “Future Olympian?”

“I would probably be awestruck,” she says. “There are so many amazing athletes in the pool, and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to even be considered for a spot like that. Being an Olympic prospect would probably entail much more hard work, just getting to know the sport better and perfecting your art with others' help.”

If she were selected, she would have to focus on one sport, she says.

“If you're training for a sport where you're considered for, or a part of, a national team, all other endeavours would have to be put on hold. Being at such a high level would require immense focus and a specific set of training.”



Amelia Arciszewski of Kincardine at the Olympic talent search event in Toronto last month; photos courtesy of Amelia Arciszewski