Oro-Medonte native takes on the world in Tokyo
Oro-Medonte's Peter Disera took on the world on Monday morning, competing in the Tokyo Olympic games.
After a hard-fought race, the mountain biker finished 26th overall.
"Overall happy with the race. I didn't have the extraordinary day that some of the athletes had today, but it also wasn't a day I'm upset about," Disera told CTV News Barrie shortly after crossing the finish line.
The athlete credits his success over his career to the support he's received from family, friends and the community.
His family home was adorned in red and white as he made his Olympic debut.
"It's absolutely overwhelming, and it's just so wonderful to see all of his hard work paid off, and he is where he wanted to be," said Disera's mother, Pamela.
The 26-year-old Oro-Medonte man was the sole Canadian representing the country in men's mountain biking - an accomplishment his family says was forged in the hills of central Ontario.
"This open forest that we live in was a contributing factor, the trails and hardwood hills," his mom said.
In 2007, his family said he began competing at Hardwood Ski and Bike, and not soon after that, he began separating himself from the pack.
The president and general manager of Hardwood, Gareth Houben, said Disera had a natural talent and a work ethic like none other.
"Knowing that he got a small portion of success training here makes us feel very proud of Hardwood," said Houben.
The hill has also been a training ground for his brother Quinton who is climbing the international mountain biking ranks.
The younger sibling said his brother set the bar high, but it inspires him to get better each day.
"Growing up with him, I was always trying to nip at his heels," said Quinton.
The family said Disera would fly home in the coming days, but his time back in Canada will be short, as he and his brother will head to Italy next month for the world championships.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.
The House is on the brink of approving aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle
The House is preparing in a rare Saturday session to approve US$95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.