Saskatchewan

Boy from Carlyle, Sask., represents Canada in Olympic opening ceremonies

Saskatchewan’s own Carter Morrison was the Olympic tree-bearer representing Canada for the opening ceremonies in Rio.

Carter Morrison chosen by Ronald McDonald House Charities to walk in Parade of Nations

Carter Morrison from Carlyle Sask., walks alongside Rosie MacLennan and team Canada into the stadium the during opening ceremonies at the 2016 Summer Olympics Friday, August 5, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)

Saskatchewan's own Carter Morrison was the Olympic tree-bearer representing Canada for the opening ceremonies in Rio.

For every country entering the opening ceremonies, there was a child ambassador carrying a tree sapling walking alongside the flag of the country they represented. The tree sapling was to represent the environmentally conscious theme of the opening ceremonies.

The 11-year-old from Carlyle, Sask. was chosen by Ronald McDonald House Charities as one of nearly 100 kids from around the world to walk in the Parade of Nations at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio.

"The best part about it was I walked out with Canada because that's my home country, so it's pretty cool," said Morrison.

Morrison was chosen for having overcome great adversity, and having a spirit of courage and friendship. He was born with Achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism.

Morrison said that the best part was knowing that people from all over the world were watching him. There were 80,000 live spectators at the stadium, and billions of television viewers worldwide.

"My first time that I walked out I was like, 'OK, there's going to be thousands of people watching', but when I got out there I wasn't that scared," said Morrison.

Carter Morrison made the trip to Rio with his dad, Trevor. (McDonalds/YouTube)

Always eager to make friends, Morrison is glad to have met people from all over the world on his trip to Rio. He hopes to maintain those friendships for a lifetime.

With files from CBC Radio's The Morning Edition