Ben Churchill is not taking the Youth Olympics lightly.

Churchill was named Canada’s flag-bearer for the Games on Monday morning, and will be front and centre as he competes in the men’s biathlon.

“Wow, I’m super super excited,” said Churchill. “Being Canada’s flag-bearer means I’m becoming a part of a long line of great Canadian achievers and sportspeople. I think that along with that comes a little bit of added responsibility in terms of trying my best to uphold the values and spirit of Olympism.

“It’s a special place and I’m honoured to have been selected.”

The 17-year-old Calgary native won gold in the 15-kilometre men’s biathlon at the 2015 Canada Games in Prince George, B.C., and added silver in the 3.5-kilometre men’s relay as part of Alberta’s team.

The Youth Olympics, which has an age restriction of 14 to 18, will be in Lillehammer, Norway, from Feb. 8 to 22.

On top of being excited to represent Canada internationally, Churchill’s pleased to compete in Norway, with its long history in the biathlon.

“Our sport originated in the Scandinavian countries and a lot of historians point to Norway as the original birthplace of biathlon,” said Churchill in an interview with The Canadian Press. “So going to Norway and going to Lillehammer is absolutely unreal in relation to my personal sport.

“To head back to the home of biathlon is incredibly special.”

The first Youth Olympics were held in the summer of 2010 in Singapore with the first Winter YOG hosted by Innsbruck, Austria in 2010.

Like the Olympics, they are an international multi-sport event, but there’s an added emphasis on education and preparing the participating athletes for leadership roles both in and outside of the world of sport.

“The little tagline is ‘Go beyond and create tomorrow’ and it really speaks to the kind of legacy they want to leave behind,” said Churchill. “They’re not just concerned with sporting achievement or even achievement in life, they’re focusing on helping you becoming the best that you can be in everything you do and maintain a balanced life and maintain healthy relationships and that sort of thing.”

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