Toby Melville / Reuters
As the Olympic flame was extinguished during Sunday's closing ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I join Canadians in offering Team Canada our thanks and praise. Beyond the thrill of watching elite competition, the past several weeks have delivered us inspirational moments and stories that now sit in our collective memory.
Each athlete, along with the coaches and support systems behind them, has worn the maple leaf with pride and represented us all with excellence and integrity.
The Games' captivating highlights are too numerous to list. Incredible stories were written by every member of Team Canada: stories of achievement, of tremendous determination and of lessons that can only be learned through an Olympic experience.
The story continues in a couple of weeks when our Paralympic athletes arrive in Rio.
Team Canada will soon return home to their communities in every corner of our beautiful country. I invite all Canadians to celebrate them and their stories. Relish the welcome home experience and thank them for their hard work.
Let's agree not to leave this inspiration in Rio. Each amazing athletic achievement we have witnessed started as a dream in a backyard, at a local park or pool or in a community sport or recreation program. There is no greater way to honour our Olympic athletes than to use their performances to motivate all Canadians, especially our young people, to get active and perhaps even chase their own podium dreams.
The story continues in a couple of weeks when our Paralympic athletes arrive in Rio. They are ready to take on the world and write their own chapter in our history books. Be prepared to witness extraordinary feats of athleticism and be inspired beyond belief. Team Canada will once again make us proud.
On behalf of all Canadians, I congratulate all of Team Canada on a wonderful Olympic Games.
Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook
ALSO ON HUFFPOST:
Canadian Medallists at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games
Cycling: 31st Rio 2016 Olympics / Cycling: Women's Cross-country(01 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athletes: Catharine PendrelThe sport: Women's Cross-Country CyclingWhen: Aug. 20, 2016Photo by Tim de Waele/Corbis via Getty Images) (credit:Tim de Waele via Getty Images)
CYCLING-MOUNTAIN BIKE-OLY-2016-RIO-WOMEN(02 of74)
Third placed Canada's Catharine Pendrel celebrates after crossing the finish line in the cycling mountain bike women's cross-country race of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Mountain Bike Centre in Rio de Janeiro on August 20, 2016. / AFP / Pascal GUYOT (Photo credit should read PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PASCAL GUYOT via Getty Images)
Cycling - Mountain Bike - Olympics: Day 15(03 of74)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 20: Catharine Pendrel and Emily Batty of Canada celebrate after finishing the Women's Cross-Country Mountain Bike Race on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Mountain Bike Centre on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) (credit:Bryn Lennon via Getty Images)
Cycling - Mountain Bike - Olympics: Day 15(04 of74)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 20: Catharine Pendrel of Canda races during the Women's Cross-Country Mountain Bike Race on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Mountain Bike Centre on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) (credit:Bryn Lennon via Getty Images)
Athletics - Olympics Day 14(05 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athletes: Akeem Haynes, Aaron Brown, Brendon Rodney and Andre de GrasseThe sport: Men's 4 x 100mWhen: Aug. 19, 2016 (credit:JOHANNES EISELE via Getty Images)
Athletics - Olympics: Day 15(06 of74)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 20: Bronze medalists Akeem Haynes, Aaron Brown, Brendon Rodney and Andre de Grasse of Canada stand on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's 4 x 100 meter Relay on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) (credit:Alexander Hassenstein via Getty Images)
Athletics - Olympics: Day 14(07 of74)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 19: Usain Bolt of Jamaica runs ahead of of Aska Cambridge of Japan, Trayvon Bromell of the United States and Andre De Grasse of Canada in the Men's 4 x 100m Relay Final on Day 14 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 19, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Shaun Botterill via Getty Images)
(08 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athletes: Melissa Tancredi, Stephanie Labbe, Christine Sinclair, Ashley Lawrency, Sophie Schmid, Jessie Fleming, Diana Matheson, Rebecca Quinn, Janine Beckie, Josée Bélanger, Kadeisha Buchanan, Shlina Zadorsky, Desiree Scott, Rhian Wilkinson, Sabrina D'Angelo, Allysha Chapman, Deanne Rose, Nichelle PrinceThe sport: Women's soccerWhen: Aug. 19, 2016 (credit:Getty)
(09 of74)
Canada's bronze-winning soccer team poses with their medals. (credit:Getty)
(10 of74)
Canada's Ashley Lawrence defends the ball against Marta of Brazil at the women's soccer bronze medal match between Canada and Brazil. (credit:Getty)
Show Jumping - Olympics: Day 14(11 of74)
Eric Lamaze poses with his gold medal after placing first in individual show jumping with Fine Lady 5. (credit:Getty)
Show Jumping - Olympics: Day 14(12 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athletes:Eric LamazeThe sport: Individual Show Jumping When: Aug. 19, 2016 (credit:Getty)
Men's 200-Metre Sprint - Olympics: Day 13(13 of74)
The medal: SilverThe athletes:Andre De GrasseThe sport: Men's 200-metre sprintWhen: Aug. 18, 2016 (credit:PEDRO UGARTE via Getty Images)
Men's 200-Metre Sprint - Olympics: Day 13(14 of74)
Gold medalist Jamaica's Usain Bolt (left) and silver medalist Canada's Andre De Grasse shake hands after the men's 200-metre final. (credit:PEDRO UGARTE via Getty Images)
Men's 200-Metre Sprint - Olympics: Day 13(15 of74)
Canada's Andre De Grasse (second farthest right) races against his competitors. (credit:JUAN MABROMATA via Getty Images)
Men's 200-Metre Sprint - Olympics: Day 13(16 of74)
Canada's Andre De Grasse (right) races against Jamaica's Usain Bolt (left) as they compete in the men's 200-metre final. (credit:JEFF PACHOUD via Getty Images)
Decathlon - Olympics: Day 13(17 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athletes:Damian WarnerThe sport: DecathlonWhen: Aug. 18, 2016 (credit:FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images)
Decathlon - Olympics: Day 13(18 of74)
Silver medalist Damian Warner of Canada poses alongside gold medalist Ashton Eaton of the United States. (credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
Decathlon - Olympics: Day 13(19 of74)
Damian Warner of Canada completes his highest jump in the Olympic decathlon pole vault competition. (credit:Lucas Oleniuk via Getty Images)
Decathlon - Olympics: Day 13(20 of74)
Canada's Damian Warner competes in the men's decathlon javelin throw. (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
Wrestling - Olympics: Day 13(21 of74)
The medal: GoldThe athletes:Erica WiebeThe sport: Freestyle wrestling, 75-kgWhen: Aug. 18, 2016 (credit:JACK GUEZ via Getty Images)
Wrestling - Olympics: Day 13(22 of74)
Canada's Erica Wiebe celebrates her gold win by carrying her coach. (credit:TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA via Getty Images)
Wrestling - Olympics: Day 13(23 of74)
Canadian wrestler Erica Elizabeth Wiebe kneels as she celebrates winning the women's 75kg freestyle final match. (credit:TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA via Getty Images)
Wrestling - Olympics: Day 13(24 of74)
Canadian wrestler Erica Wiebe (red) holds Kazakhstan's Guzel Manyurova down in their women's 75kg freestyle final match. (credit:JACK GUEZ via Getty Images)
Wrestling - Olympics: Day 13(25 of74)
Canada's Erica Wiebe (red) pins opponent Guzel Manyurova of Kazakhstan in the women's 75kg freestyle final. (credit:JACK GUEZ via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 13(26 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athletes:Meaghan BenfeitoThe sport: Women's 10m platform divingWhen: Aug. 18, 2016 (credit:CHRISTOPHE SIMON via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 13(27 of74)
Canada's Meaghan Benfeito poses with China's silver medallist Yajie Si and gold medallist Qian Ren. (credit:Al Bello via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 13(28 of74)
Canada's Meaghan Benfeito prepares herself for the women's 10-metre platform final. (credit:CHRISTOPHE SIMON via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 13(29 of74)
Canada's Meaghan Benfeito mid-air as she falls in the women's 10-metre platform semi-final. (credit:Al Bello via Getty Images)
High Jump - Olympics: Day 11(30 of74)
The medal: GoldThe athletes:Derek DrouinThe sport: men's high jumpWhen: Aug. 16, 2016 (credit:FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images)
High Jump - Olympics: Day 11(31 of74)
Canada's Derek Drouin reacts after placing gold at the men's high jump final. (credit:FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images)
High Jump - Olympics: Day 11(32 of74)
Gold medallist Derek Drouin celebrates winning the men's high jump event. (credit:JOHANNES EISELE via Getty Images)
High Jump - Olympics: Day 11(33 of74)
Canada's Derek Drouin competes in the men's high jump final. (credit:FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images)
Men's 100-Metre - Olympics: Day 9(34 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athletes:Andre De GrasseThe sport: men's 100-metre sprintWhen: Aug. 14, 2016 (credit:Shaun Botterill via Getty Images)
Men's 100-Metre Race - Olympics: Day 9(35 of74)
Andre De Grasse celebrates after winning bronze in the men's 100-metre Olympic final. (credit:Lucas Oleniuk via Getty Images)
Athletics - Olympics: Day 9(36 of74)
Jamaica's gold medallistUsain Bolt (right) and Canada's bronze medallist Andre De Grasse (left) share a moment after placing in the men's 100-metre final. (credit:ANTONIN THUILLIER via Getty Images)
Athletics - Olympics: Day 9(37 of74)
Jamaica's Usain Bolt (centre left) crosses the finish line, followed by Canada's bronze medallist Andre De Grasse (far left), France's Jimmy Vicaut (second right) and USA's Justin Gatlin (far right) in the men's 100-metre final. (credit:OLIVIER MORIN via Getty Images)
Heptathlon - Olympics: Day 8(38 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athlete:Brianne Theisen-EatonThe sport: women's heptathlonWhen: Aug. 13, 2016 (credit:FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images)
Heptathlon - Olympics: Day 8(39 of74)
Canada's Brianne Theisen Eaton competes in the women's heptathlon long jump during the athletics event. (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
Heptathlon - Olympics: Day 8(40 of74)
Canada's Brianne Theisen Eaton (right) celebrates with her husband U.S. athlete Ashton Eaton after she won bronze in the women's 800-metre.heptathlon. (credit:OLIVIER MORIN via Getty Images)
Javelin Throw - Olympics: Day 8(41 of74)
Canada's Brianne Theisen-Eaton competes in the women's heptathlon Javelin Throw. (credit:JOHANNES EISELE via Getty Images)
Cycling - Olympics: Day 8(42 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athletes:Kirsti Lay, Allison Beveridge, Georgia Simmerling, and Jasmin GlaesserThe sport: women's track cyclingWhen: Aug. 13, 2016
Cycling - Track - Olympics: Day 8(43 of74)
Allison Beveridge, Jasmin Glaesser, Kirsti Lay and Georgia Simmerling of Canada celebrate winning the bronze medal after the women's team pursuit final. (credit:Christian Petersen via Getty Images)
Cycling - Track - Olympics: Day 8(44 of74)
Bronze medallists Allison Beveridge, Jasmin Glaesser, Kristi Lay, and Georgia Simmerling from Canada's women's cycling team at the cycling medal ceremony. (credit:Tim de Waele via Getty Images)
Trampoline - Olympics: Day 7(45 of74)
The medal: GoldThe athlete: Rosie MacLennanThe sport: women's trampoline gymnasticsWhen: Aug. 12, 2016 (credit:Getty)
(46 of74)
Aug. 12, 2016: Trampoline gold medallist Rosie MacLennan stands on the podium, alongside Great Britain's silver medallist Bryony Page and China's bronze medallist Li Dan.
(47 of74)
Rosie Maclennan soars as she competes in women's trampoline gymnastics. (credit:Getty)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 7(48 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athlete: Hilary Caldwell The sport: women's 200-metre backstrokeWhen: Aug. 12, 2016 (credit:Getty)
(49 of74)
Hilary Caldwell swims in the women's 200-metre backstroke. (credit:Getty)
Rowing - Olympics: Day 7(50 of74)
The medal: SilverThe athletes: Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee The sport: women's lightweight double scullsWhen: Aug. 12, 2016 (credit:DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 6(51 of74)
The medal: GoldThe athlete: Penny OleksiakThe sport: women's 100-metre freestyleWhen: Aug. 11, 2016 (credit:Lucas Oleniuk via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 6(52 of74)
The medal: GoldThe athlete: Penny OleksiakThe sport: women's 100-metre freestyleWhen: Aug. 11, 2016 (credit:Vaughn Ridley via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 5(53 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athletes: Katerine Savard, Taylor Ruck, Brittany MacLean and Penny OleksiakThe sport: women's 4 x 200-metre relayWhen: Aug. 10, 2016 (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 5(54 of74)
Team Canada cheers during the women's 4 x 200-metre freestyle relay finals, in which they placed third. (credit:CHRISTOPHE SIMON via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 5(55 of74)
Taylor Ruck, Brittany McLean and Katerine Savard celebrate winning bronze in the women's 4 x 20-metre freestyle relay. (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 5(56 of74)
Taylor Ruck, Brittany McLean and Katerine Savard celebrate winning bronze in the women's 4 x 20-metre freestyle relay. (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 4(57 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athlete: Roseline Filion and Meaghan BenfeitoThe sport: synchronized diving - 10-metre platformWhen: Aug. 9, 2016 (credit:ODD ANDERSEN via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 4(58 of74)
Bronze medalists Roseline Filion and Meaghan Benfeito compete in synchronized diving. (credit:MARTIN BUREAU via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 4(59 of74)
Bronze medalists Roseline Filion and Meaghan Benfeito compete in synchronized diving. (credit:Phil Walter via Getty Images)
Diving - Olympics: Day 4(60 of74)
Bronze medalists Roseline Filion and Meaghan Benfeito compete in synchronized diving. (credit:Phil Walter via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 3(61 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athlete: Kylie MasseThe sport: women's 100-metre backstrokeWhen: Aug. 8, 2016 (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 3(62 of74)
Kylie Masse of Canada celebrates third place in the women's 100-metre backstroke. (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 3(63 of74)
Kylie Masse of Canada celebrates third place in the women's 100-metre backstroke. (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Rugby - Olympics: Day 3(64 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athletes: Jen Kish, Kelly Russell, Karen Paquin, Brittany Benn, Ghislaine Landry, Natasha Watcham-Roy, Hannah Darling, Megan Lukan, Biance Farella, Charity Williams, Ashley Steacy, and Kayla MoleschiThe sport: women's rugby When: Aug. 8, 2016 (credit:JOHN MACDOUGALL via Getty Images)
Rugby - Olympics: Day 3(65 of74)
Kelly Russell score in the women's rugby sevens bronze medal match between Canada and Britain. (credit:PHILIPPE LOPEZ via Getty Images)
Rugby - Olympics: Day 3(66 of74)
Karen Paquin celebrates winning bronze in the womens' rugby sevens bronze medal match. (credit:PHILIPPE LOPEZ via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 2(67 of74)
The medal: SilverThe athlete: Penny Oleksiak The sport: women's 100-metre butterflyWhen: Aug. 7, 2016 (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 2(68 of74)
Penny Oleksiak celebrates after she wins silver in the women's 100-metre butterfly final. (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 2(69 of74)
Penny Oleksiak poses with her silver medal after finishing second in the women's 100-metre butterfly final. (credit:Stephen McCarthy via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 1(70 of74)
The medal: BronzeThe athletes: Sandrine Mainville, Chantal van Landeghem, Taylor Ruck, and Penny Oleksiak The sport: women's 4 x 100-metre freestyle relayWhen: Aug. 6, 2016 (credit:ODD ANDERSEN via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 1(71 of74)
Penny Oleksiak and Sandrine Manville celebrate third place in the women's 4 x 100-metre freestyle relay. (credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 1(72 of74)
Chantel Van Landeghem (left), Taylor Ruck (centre) and Sandrine Mainville (right) greet teammate Penny Oleksiak as she swims the final leg in the women's 4 x 100-metre freestyle final. (credit:Vaughn Ridley via Getty Images)
Swimming - Olympics: Day 1(73 of74)
Chantel Van Landeghem (left) and Sandrine Mainville (right) cheer on teammates Taylor Ruck and Penny Oleksiak as they win bronze in the freestyle final. (credit:Vaughn Ridley via Getty Images)
(74 of74)
The official 2016 medals that will be presented to athletes in Rio. (credit:DAVID J. PHILLIP/AP)