Future Olympian is Dawson ALC student

Arts, Literature and Communication student Fergus Spitzley was selected from among 2,200 top athletes from across Canada as one of 30 RBC Future Olympians! In a news release, RBC stated that: “these athletes were carefully evaluated on their speed, power, endurance, strength and overall Olympic potential in front of Team Canada scouts and National Sport Organizations, and they didn’t disappoint!”

After being notified by proud teacher Susan Finch, Dawson’s Communications Office interviewed Fergus.

Could you tell me what this support from RBC entails and what it means to you?

Fergus: RBC is giving me some financial aid that goes towards training, equipment and coaching. This gives me the opportunity to train at a higher calibre, without all the costs of high calibre training. It means a lot!

Tell me about your sport, your training, why you are pursuing it, what difference it makes in your life?

Fergus: I am doing Track Cycling at the velodrome in Bromont.  I train six days a week – two to three days a week on the track, and four to five days a week in the gym. After completing the initial try outs for RBC Training Ground, different national teams select athletes based on physical profiles that are well suited for that sport. I had never heard of Track cycling before May 2023, but they selected me, and it was a good fit. I am pursuing it because I want to go to the Olympics. I want to see my limits and push myself to achieve them. This sport requires a lot of mental focus that is hard to maintain. It challenges me regularly. The sport requires changes to my life due to training, eating, etc.  It’s challenging. On the positive side, due to the strict regime, I’m seeing results that I wasn’t expecting. Training with Olympic athletes is also really motivating!

How do you balance your studies and your sports life?
Fergus: I don’t do this very well. I find this very hard.

Tell me about your life at Dawson: your program and profile, what you are involved in here, what you like best about Dawson?

Fergus: I am in my second semester of the ALC program- I am in the Arts and Culture profile.  I am a member of the men’s Volleyball Team as well.  I like the social aspect of Dawson – it’s a nice change from how isolating my training is.

What are your hopes going forward – school, career, athletic ambitions?

Fergus: I would love to go to the 2028 Olympics in L.A. I’m not sure what my career path is yet – something to do with art though.