![\"\"](\"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/TorchRun2.jpg\")
<\/a>Brock University President Gervan Fearon, left, and Brock Niagara Penguins Director Karen Natho, right, have their photo taken with teenage para sport athlete Kanice MacLean during the Canada Games Torch Relay celebration.<\/p><\/div>\n
While Niagara will host the Canada Summer Games in 2021, the MNP Torch Relay was in advance of the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer coming up in February. But with Brock playing a significant role in the hosting of the 2021 Games, it made sense to have the run finish in Zone 2, not far from where Canada Games Park is planned to be built.<\/p>\n
Natho, who had the most challenging segment of the run Saturday \u2014 straight up Glenridge hill \u2014 was honoured to carry the torch.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Canada Games were a really impactful part of my life. It\u2019s kind of the reason I am who I am now and why I give back to sport. I recognize that everyone deserves to compete at some level,\u201d said Natho, who ran her segment surrounded by her children and local high school athletes. \u201cCarrying the torch and having my kids there and friends cheering me on was such an honour.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the other torchbearers was Kanice MacLean, a para sport athlete originally from Jamaica. Natho said it\u2019s athletes like MacLean, who is part of the Brock Niagara Penguins program, who will benefit from the Canada Games down the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an unbelievable opportunity for Niagara,\u201d she said. \u201cThe legacy buildings will open up opportunities not only for Brock and the region, but also for all athletes. My area is para sport and it\u2019ll open up opportunities for para sport athletes to train and compete at the level they deserve to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the final torchbearer of the day, Aalanna Romana Rusnak \u2014 a young athlete and entrepreneur from Tillsonburg \u2014 arrived at Brock, there was a celebration with comments from those involved in the 2019 Red Deer Games, as well as local politicians and officials from both Brock and the 2021 Games.<\/p>\n
Brock President Gervan Fearon said the Canada Games represent \u201cthe coming together of the entire region.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we saw today in terms of the torch run is a celebration of success, celebration of excellence and the whole region coming together to host Canada here in Niagara,\u201d he said. \u201cFor Brock, it\u2019s outstanding to be able to have the torch run end here at the site where we\u2019ll have Canada Games Park, a place where we\u2019ll have the opportunity in 2021 to showcase the entire region.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t