Car horns blared and even some fireworks could be heard in Corunna Tuesday night after hometown hero Derek Drouin won the gold medal in men's high jump at the Rio games.
St. Clair Township Mayor Steve Arnold says the community is bursting with pride.
"What a wonderful day for all of us here in St. Clair Township and the County of Lambton, Ontario and the country of course," says Arnold. "Our golden champion Derek Drouin is such a gentleman and such an inspiration for so many people, a role model for so many in the community and throughout this country."
Mayor Arnold says they're already working on preliminary plans to honour the 26-year-old Drouin the next time he's able to come home.
"We had a couple of preliminary meetings a while ago, but we didn't want to jinx it," says Arnold. "We want it to be a community event just like it was when he won the bronze and I know everybody wants to be involved in that celebration."
In recognition of his bronze medal win in 2012, a plaque was erected on the Corunna clock tower and Lyndoch St. was ceremonially renamed after him.
Drouin didn't miss a single jump Tuesday as he soared to the top of the podium with a season-best jump of 2.38 m (7.8 ft).
He's the first Canadian to win Olympic gold in high jump since Duncan McNaughton in 1932.
