Olympic athlete has local connections
By Joan Janzen
Leanne Gartner is a Youth Olympian who will be representing Canada at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea. Although 18-year-old Leanne is from Canmore, AB, her father, Neil Gartner grew up in Kindersley, and her mother, Michelle is from Saskatoon where her parents still reside. Leanne’s grandparents, Gus Gartner and Diane Gartner both reside in Kindersley.
Leanne Gartner (second from left) is a member of the cross-country ski team chosen to represent Canada in the U18 Olympic Games in South Korea. Photo Nordic Canada media release
Leanne is one of the four members of the Team Canada cross-country ski team who will be participating in the U18 Olympic Games from January 29th to February 1st at the Alpensia Biathlon Centre. This is the same venue used in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games. The other three team members are from the Yukon, Ontario and British Columbia. They will be wearing the same race suits as the athletes who competed in the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
Leanne has faced the momentous challenge of recovering from health issues throughout much of 2023. However thanks to her dedication and perseverance, she is now skiing at her very best. Her hard work has resulted in her first race overseas.
You can be sure Leanne’s family members in Saskatchewan will be cheering her on as she competes in South Korea.