Liam Gill to replace injured Derek Livingston as lone Canadian in men's snowboard halfpipe
The Canadian Press | Posted: January 31, 2022 4:38 PM | Last Updated: January 31, 2022
18-year-old becomes only Indigenous athlete on Canadian snowboard team
Canada's Derek Livingston will not compete in men's snowboard halfpipe at the Beijing Olympics after sustaining a lower-body injury during a recent training run.
Livingston, from Aurora, Ont., will be replaced by Calgary's Liam Gill in the event.
The 18-year-old Gill, who learned he was moving from alternate to Olympian only days before the team charter left for Beijing, will be the second-youngest member of the Canadian snowboarding contingent.
Livingston said he is "devastated" that he won't be participating in the Games but is excited that Gill gets an opportunity.
Gill, a member of the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., is the only Indigenous athlete on the Canadian snowboard team.
Snowboard halfpipe competition runs Feb. 9-11 at Genting Snow Park.