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17 | Friday, August 12, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com At left, Adam van Koeverden and Mark Oldershaw with Scott Burns, 5, Justine Burns, 7, and Kyle Burns, 5, (whose brother Alex, 12, was `too cool' to get in the photo) at the Burloak Canoe Club Aug. 4, as the club held a celebration ahead of the Olympics. At centre, Oldershaw autographs 12-year-old Nathan Dryschak's T-shirt. At right, Maryann Vernooy brings out cupcakes during the send-off for the Olympians. | photos by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) Local Olympians compete far away, but home is where their heart is continued from p.16 Really, it's always been there. How many athletes would win a medal on the world's biggest stage, fly halfway around the world and before even unpacking their bags, compete for the honour of their club? That's what van Koeverden has done after each Olympics, joining Burloak teammates at the national championships. Racing on a team with an athlete a few days removed from the Olympic podium has proven to be inspirational for the club's younger paddles, many of whom joined the club after watching van Koeverden's Olympic triumphs. Training at Burloak on the eve of the Olympics, van Koeverden was seeing the big picture. "I've lived in lots of cities and other countries for extended periods, but I always seem to come back to this place. It is more like home than any home I've ever known," he said. "It's more home than my apartment. I come here and I feel like this is where I live, this is where I do my work, where I see my friends and family and see the next generation of paddlers taking over for Mark and I." y in Finall e! ll Oakvi A piece Americ of Latin an h right in eaven neighb your ourhoo d! Everything you need to enjoy the Olympic Games Authentic Mexican and Latin American prepared food and desserts Authentic corn tortillas, nacho chips, fresh salsas, guacamole, empanadas, tamales and much more! 391 KERR ST. OAKVILLE TEL 905.845.9262 www.NostalgiaLatinMarket.com Follow us on Facebook #Nostalgia Latin Market Best of Luck oAkVILLe oLYMPIANs Come in f FREE bag and get a o Chips* of Nach st 12 - 2 rom Augu 0 *When you purchase one or more of our fresh salsas or guacamole from Mad Mexican® Vamos Canada!