Liam Gill is going to the Olympics.
Gill is a member of Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation and lives in Calgary. At 18-years-old, he the second-youngest member of the Canadian snowboard team.
On Monday, Canada Snowboard announced Gill going to the Games as part of the halfpipe team to replace Derek Livingston, who was recently injured during a training run.
(Image courtesy of Snowboard Canada)
According to the release, Gill learned of this new opportunity only days before the team is set to travel to Beijing.
“I woke up to the news and I didn’t know how to feel,” he’s quoted saying. “I had totally given up on any hope of going and hadn’t even packed my stuff. I am stoked to be going. I have a few runs up my sleeve and really want to make it count.”
He also says Livingston is an “idol” and mentor that has helped him train.
The Olympics are scheduled to open on Feb. 4, with the halfpipe competition set for Feb. 9 and 11.
