WINNIPEG — They’ve been showered with congratulations and honours since their return home and Thursday members of the Olympic gold medal winning Jennifer Jones team were inducted into the Order of the Buffalo Hunt.
The honour is bestowed by the Province of Manitoba on individuals who demonstrate outstanding skills in the areas of leadership, service and community commitment.
“We’re so proud to be from Manitoba,” said Jones. “We tell everybody where we’re from and they think we’re tough because of it.”
Jones was at times emotional during the short ceremony at the legislature, reflecting on the reception her team has received since their return from Sochi, Russia.
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“Little kids say that you’re their hero,” Jones said, “and everybody tells us what they were doing watching the gold medal game. You realize that you’ve had this impact that you didn’t set out to have, but you’re so honoured that you did.”
Jones has been tight-lipped about the team’s future and whether they plan to continue to curl together. While attempting to appear noncommittal, she indicated the likelihood is they will.
“I would be surprised if we don’t continue to play,” she said. “We just love playing together so much. We’re the best of friends and we just have a ton of fun together and we still can make a few shots.”
Longtime teammate Jill Officer also indicated the team would continue.
“It would be hard to step away at this point. I will say that,” said Officer.
“We’ll sit down and really firm that up as a team in the next few weeks if that’s what we’re going to do,” Jones added.
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