Corunna's golden boy Derek Drouin received a hero's welcome back home Saturday morning.
Thousands lined Lyndoch St. for a parade in celebration of his gold medal high jump win at the Rio Games.
Addressing the large crowd at Antonio's Pizza afterward, Drouin says he's touched by all of the messages of support and encouragement.
"What means the most to me is when people comment on how proud they are of the way that I represent Canada or the way that I represent Corunna," says Drouin. "Those comments just mean so much to me. I take a lot of pride in wearing Canada on my shirt, and I take a lot of pride when it says 'hometown Corunna, Ontario'."
Drouin was presented with commendations from Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu, MPP Bob Bailey, St. Clair Twp. Mayor Steve Arnold, and the Royal Canadian Legion.
He says it means a lot to him to be able to inspire young athletes.
"My favourite part about being an Olympian and professional athlete is trying to inspire the next generation of kids," says Drouin. "It doesn't necessarily have to be in high jump or track, but as long as I'm inspiring them to do something or search out something that they love, it gives me goosebumps every time."
Drouin says he was introduced to high jump in kindergarten, and made a makeshift high jump mat in his parents' basement to practice.
The 26-year-old didn't miss a single jump in his Olympic final in Rio, 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 an Olympic gold in high jump since Duncan McNaughton in 1932.
The win adds to Drouin's impressive resume, including first place finishes at the Commonwealth Games, Pan AM Games, and World Championships, as well as bronze at the 2012 London Olympics.
He's the favourite to capture another gold when the Olympics come to Tokyo in 2020.
