Olympic Hamilton fencer named 2024 Golden Horseshoe Athlete of the Year

Olympic bronze medal winning fencer Eleanor Harvey from Hamilton has been named the 2024 Golden Horseshoe Athlete of the Year.

Harvey was presented with the Bill Sturrup Award by United Trophy Thursday night at Carmen’s Banquet Centre, during the Catholic Youth Organization Children’s Fundraiser Gala Dinner.

The three-time Olympian won Canada’s first-ever fencing medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, taking the bronze medal in women’s foil.

She received the award beating out finalists Tristan Borges from Toronto in Soccer, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from Toronto in basketball.

According to a release from the Golden Horseshoe Athlete of the Year Committee, Harvey said she was honoured to be recognized among so many athletes from the region.

“Hamilton has always been home, and I’m proud to represent this community on the world stage,” she said.

The Bill Sturrup Award was named in memory of the late Bill Sturrup, a renowned local broadcaster who was “the man on the microphone at nearly every sporting event in Hamilton for 40 years,” according to the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame.

Sturrup was a founding executive member of the Golden Horseshoe Athlete of the Year Award, and served as president for several years.

Rick Zamperin, a committee member, said in the release that Harvey “exemplifies what this award is all about.”

“Her commitment to excellence and her achievements on the international stage make her a true ambassador for Hamilton Sports,” he said.

WATCH MORE: Stoney Creek residents rejoicing after landfill motions passed in their favour