An Olympic kayaker is looking to splash Liberal gold on a southern Ontario riding long held by the Conservatives.
Decorated athlete Adam van Koeverden announced Thursday he hopes to run as a Liberal candidate for the riding of Milton, Ont. — a clear sign the Liberals are ramping up efforts before the 2019 election with star-studded names.
The 36-year-old van Koeverden has four Olympic medals to his name, as well as two world championships, and served as Canada’s flag-bearer at the Olympic Games in Athens and Beijing.
A website laying out details of his candidacy says his campaign will focus on traditional Liberal values with an emphasis on youth, sport, physical education and healthy communities.
“I proudly represented Canada on the international stage for almost 20 years, and now my objective is to represent the needs of Miltonians on Parliament Hill in Ottawa and here at home in Milton,” the website says.
The Milton riding is currently held by Conservative deputy leader and former cabinet minister Lisa Raitt, who was first elected in 2008.