Jessica Sevick, an Olympian originally from Strathmore, returned to town to attend Hype for Hospice on Sunday, May 4.
Sevick competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she took home a silver medal for her work in rowing.
"I actually started rowing because I tore my ACL playing recreational soccer, and I got recruited by my physiotherapist who said that I should try it because it's not impact, and I was tall and jacked," said Sevick.
She joined the Calgary Rowing Club in 2016 to "make new friends and get a hot bod".
Sevick added that although she dreamed about it, she never thought she would be an Olympian.
"Mayor Pat Fule was actually my basketball coach in high school. I did a lot of sports, but I never thought it would go anywhere. When I first started rowing, I thought it would be for fun and to get in shape."
The Olympian was asked to attend the event by Joni McNeely, chair of the Wheatland & Area Hospice Society.
"It's been so awesome, and I feel really honoured to be invited. It's such an important part of the community, and it's going to be such a beautiful building, and I'm so lucky to be here."
Hype for Hospice also featured a wine raffle, firetruck pull, and hike around Kinsmen Park.