Olympians Melissa Bishop and Noelle Montcalm autograph posters for fans Sienna and Jasmine Benoit.Olympians Melissa Bishop and Noelle Montcalm autograph posters for fans Sienna and Jasmine Benoit.

Cheering crowd turns out to toast Lancer Olympians

Hundreds of fans filled the stands in the Dennis Fairall fieldhouse Tuesday to cheer on three Lancer alumnae who will compete for Team Canada in the Olympic Games next month in Rio de Janeiro. Athletics and Recreational Services organized the send-off for Melissa Bishop (BHK 2010, B.Ed 2011), Miah-Marie Langlois (BComm 2014) and Noelle Montcalm (BScN 2012).

“It’s my first time meeting them,” said nine-year-old Jasmine Benoit, who stood in line to receive a poster autographed by all three athletes. “I was so excited.”

Her seven-year-old sister Sienna Benoit had a more succinct summary of the Lancer grads: “Girls rule!”

Supporters—family members, children from Lancer camps, alumni and UWindsor retirees—donned red and white and waved Canadian flags during addresses by the athletes, university dignitaries, and Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens.

The Rio Games will run August 5 to 21. Bishop will race in the 800m, in which she holds the Canadian record; Montcalm will compete in the 400m hurdles; and Langlois will play guard on the women’s basketball team. In addition, Lancer women’s basketball head coach Chantal Vallée will provide commentary for CBC television.