Torontonians got a chance to pay tribute to some of Canada’s top performers at the Rio Games today as a parade was held for the city’s returning Olympians in the Beach neighbourhood.

Members of the Beach Village BIA and the Danforth East Community Association organized the parade to honour Canada’s athletes at the Rio Games, including the neighbourhood’s very own Penny Oleksiak.

The parade started at 11 a.m. in East Lynn Park. The parade then made its way onto Queen Street and headed east until arriving at Kew Gardens Park, where a celebration was held.

Oleksiak, who won four medals at the games and carried Canada’s flag into the closing ceremonies, participated in the parade along with fellow 16-year-old medalist Michelle Williams, who won a bronze with Oleksiak in the 4X100 metre freestyle rally.

“I thought it was literally going to be 10 people at the beginning and nobody the rest of the way but it’s really cool,” Oleksiak told CP24 as she made her way along the route in the back of a red convertible. “It has been really cool just to see all of this. It’s kinda crazy.”

Thousands lined route

Though Oleskiak was likely the star of the parade, dozens of other Olympic athletes also drew cheers from the thousands of people who lined the route.

Some of the participating Olympians included sprinters Nikkita Holder, Alicia Brown, Phylicia George, Crystal Emmanuel and Ese Omene, sailor Tom Ramshaw and gymnast Rose Cossar.

Toronto beach volleyball duo Kristina Valjas and Jamie Broder also took part as did Margo Maloney who competed in the very first Olympic beach volleyball tournament in 1996 in Atlanta..

“I am just feeling so much emotion and so much joy and gratitude for everybody that came out,” Valjas told CP24 along the route. “We know that we are loved and supported by Canada but to actually see this many people in the streets is just next level.”

Canada won a total of 22 medals at the Rio games with many of the countries most decorated athletes hailing from the GTA.