One young athlete was briefly hospitalized, but games manager Kevin Roberts said he recovered quickly.
Julia Peterson, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
While dozens of young Indigenous athletes were spending the week in La Ronge, Sask. for the Tony Cote Summer Games, the local beaches have been an especially popular hang-out spot. On Wednesday evening, a beachside fish fry drew a crowd.
“We had a large group of athletes who were on the beach, playing at the beach volleyball court, swimming, enjoying the outdoors, enjoying the warm day,” said games manager Kevin Roberts.
Then someone sprayed bear mace at one of the athletes in line.
“Numerous people felt the effects of the mace; one was treated at the hospital,” La Ronge RCMP said in a statement.
RCMP arrested a teen boy nearby a short time later. They expect to charge him in the coming days, as the investigation progresses.
“It’s very unfortunate that one individual chose to disrupt an event that so many have travelled to La Ronge to enjoy. Investigators have determined this was a targeted, isolated incident involving individuals unconnected to the event,” said Staff Sgt. Derek Eberle.
“We continue to work with organizers to ensure the event is safe for all attendees.”
In the moment, Roberts said the incident was disturbing. For the athletes, their families and the organizers, it “did put a little damper on things,” and it was a relief to find out everyone was going to be OK.
“The athlete (who) got treated at the hospital got help and got out, and he was even able to go to the medal presentation and get one of his medals,” Roberts said.
On social media, some teams said they were leaving the games early — either going home as soon as their athletes’ events had finished, or withdrawing from some events entirely — due to safety concerns.
Incidents like this are “not a La Ronge problem,” Roberts emphasized. Bear mace is becoming more and more of an issue for event organizers all over the country.
“We try as much as we can to address all potential security concerns, but it’s an open space where the public is invited,” Roberts said.
“Bear mace incidents are happening all over and there’s not much, really, that any police force or any security officer in the world could have done to be able to prevent that. I’m just glad there was a quick response to it and they were able to catch a suspect.”
The final day of this year’s summer games is Friday. Roberts said the focus is all on supporting and celebrating the young athletes who have worked so hard to get to this competition.
“We don’t want to let an isolated incident like this tarnish the overall image of the games,” he said. “If you go to the facilities and check out the games, there’s a lot of positivity that’s just wonderful to see. And we’re still feeling confident.”
