Calling all Okotoks and area athletes! Do you think you have what it takes to become Canada's next Olympian?

Athletes at a previous RBC Training Ground event doing long jump test. (Photo Courtesy: RBC Training Ground)

RBC and the Canadian Olympic Committee are bringing the RBC Training Ground event to Okotoks April 1 and that's no joke!

Training Ground is open to athletes from 14-25 years of age and will test athletes skills and fitness to find out if they've got what it takes to go for gold.

Cassie Hawrysh, a skeleton racer on the Canadian National Team, will be in attendance to mentor and cheer on the competing athletes.

She says there will be national sports organizations willing to give out money and training programs to those they see potential in.

"We're going to test you through four different major skills, along with a bunch of national sports organizations who will be looking for someone who can become Canada's next Olympian."

Hawrysh says there's no experience required, when she started her Olympic sport of skeleton racing she was 24 and had just been a regular athlete before it all began.

"I had absolutely no aspirations of becoming a professional tobogganer, I can tell you that right now." She adds "I got kind of tricked into trying it and I truthfully ended up loving it."

Hawrysh started out playing volleyball in Manitoba where she grew up.  When she moved out west for University she says she got the chance to try out for track and field.

"I figured, well... I can run and jump right? So why not try that! I ended up becoming a heptathlete, which was a shock to the system in so many ways!"

Athletes participating in Training Ground will be tested and observed by 11 different national sport organizations and Canadian Olympic Committee officials in four major areas; speed, power, strength, and endurance.

Hawrysh says don't stress out, it's going to be a blast.

"It's super fun, there's no stress. At each station we'll tell you exactly what we would like you to show us, and then we just want you to give it your all."  She says, "you might as well give it a shot, because, you never know what could happen."

Those with Olympic potential will go to a regional event in Calgary on May 6th, and if they excel, they will be offered funding and high performance training.

Top performers also win a trip to the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang to experience an Olympic event.

Anyone is welcome to register whether they're a traditional or non-traditional athlete with any Olympic sport experience.

RBC's Training Ground Event, is a free event and will take place at the Crescent Point Field House in Aldersyde on April 1.

Participants will need to register online at rbctrainingground.ca.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com

Team motivating a Training Ground Competitor to push her limits.(Photo Courtesy: RBC Training Ground)