NIPIGON — Local children made their way to the Nipigon Swimming Pool on Wednesday to take part in the Junior Olympics.
The Junior Olympics is an annual event that was started as a way to raise interest in the pool, according to Caleb Mangoff, co-aquatic director.
“It's a free event for the kids of the town and well surrounding towns, anyone that wants to come,” he said. “It has diving board events and swimming events for all kids ages four to 14, and it's the most popular event of the year for the pool.”
Mangoff said that in addition to providing a fun experience for children during the summer, it also helps make sure that kids have the proper skills needed for the water.
“I think, especially with the pool and where we live with all the lakes around swimming is such an important thing for the kids here, even just knowing how to swim,” he said. “Getting kids excited about the water, enjoying going to the pool, enjoying swimming is huge for the area.”
There were a variety of different events held during the Junior Olympics with prizes for the winners of each category, each donated by local businesses, according to Mangoff.
“We have gift cards to different local gas stations, restaurants,” he said. “We have floaties, just things for the water, all different prizes, a little bit of everything for everyone.”