The Canada Games is well known for participants forming lifelong friendships. This past Summer Games on the Avalon occasioned a reunion of people who came together for the first time Newfoundland hosted the Games back in 1977. Members of Newfoundland’s 1977 track and field team and the couple who billeted them got together in Torbay last month to relive old times and celebrate new memories. From left to right are former track stars Paul Fewer of Grand Falls, Ellis Whalen of Torbay, head coach Dave Thomas (crouching in front) of Labrador City, athlete Robert Watson of Labrador City, Harold St. Croix of Point La Haye, who credits his high school coaches Henry McDonald and Michael Boyle for making him a good runner, and Wulf and Jean Stender, who hosted athletes during the Games. Fewer ran in the 800 metres and 1500 metres races back in 1977, while Whalen competed in the high jump and decathlon events. St. Croix competed in the 3,000 metres steeplechase and men’s 5,000 metres. Watson represented the province in the high jump and long jump competitions. Submitted photo
