More than 200 Canadian Olympians and Paralympians were paraded through the House of Commons Wednesday as they shook hands with politicians and were honoured for their performances in Rio de Janeiro.
Two-time trampoline champion Rosie MacLennan led the group, followed by 16-year-old swimmer Penny Oleksiak, who brought home a record-setting four medals from the 2016 Summer Games.
The athletes piled into the chamber to shake hands with MPs, and several Olympians stopped to snap selfies with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Politicians and athletes tweeted about the celebratory occasion.
Watching our Olympic athletes get selfies with the PM on the floor of the House of Commons. Love it. #rio2016
— Darren Fisher (@DarrenFisherNS) November 2, 2016
About to go into the House of Commons with the Rio Olympic @TeamCanada !!! pic.twitter.com/sc7fhT6UIg
— Martha McCabe (@MarthMcC) November 2, 2016
Received our @teamcanada Olympic rings, and now we're off to visit @JustinTrudeau at the House of Commons!! :) #CelebrateSport pic.twitter.com/R7PqYLh25t
— Kirsti Lay (@layk88) November 2, 2016
The current view from my seat in the House of Commons right now is pretty great! 172 Olympic and Paralympic... https://t.co/sLAFLWm1T4
— John Barlow (@JohnBarlowMP) November 2, 2016
Amazing to have over200 Cdn Paralympic and Olympic athletes in the House of Commons from Rio! @canada_olympics pic.twitter.com/bqZQklD4p5
— Arnold Chan (@ArnoldChanLib) November 2, 2016
Trudeau met with the athletes earlier in the day at the University of Ottawa, where he admitted that the meeting was a rare opportunity for politicians to “actually be cool” for the day.
“Every four years … politicians get to actually be cool and meet with amazing Olympians from across the country,” Trudeau said before congratulating the athletes on their performances.
“Thank you for your dedication, thank you for your drive, thank you for making us so proud with your incredible performances on the world stage. But thank you also for the time you take to encourage, to motivate our young people.”
Thank you @TeamCanada & @CDNParalympics for being with us today in Ottawa, and for showing kids how hard work can pay off! #35Mstrong pic.twitter.com/vCUI9GxPf4
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 2, 2016
The athletes also took time to snap an official photo with the prime minister at Parliament.
@TeamCanada in da House... The House of Commons!!! Post- Olympic celebration #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/QcZU33z8CQ
— Nikola Girke (@NikGoing4Gold) November 2, 2016