Our emcee for both nights is Segun Makinde. Born in Nigeria, Segun started running track at the age of 15. He had always been interested in the sport, but it took a high school teacher forcing him to enter a meet in the summer of 2006 for him to go all in and see how far he could go. Turned out, it was far! Segun’s first national team experience was the 2007 IAAF World Youth Championships. He then went on to the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships in Moncton, New Brunswick. In 2016, Segun finished fifth in the 100m at the Canadian Championships, after recording a personal best 10.24 seconds. Segun was named to both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic teams, and the 2013 IAAF World Championship team. Segun’s multi-sport competition includes the 2011 and 2013 World University Games, where he posted two top five finishes, and he was also a double gold medallist at the 2013 Jeux de la Francophonie, winning the 200m and the 4x100m relay. A graduate of the University of Ottawa Telfer School of Management. Segun is a keynote speaker, and currently pursuing a Masters in Management at Queen’s University. Additionally, Segun hosts, produces, manages and creates content for “The Inner Olympian” podcast. As if that is not enough to keep him busy, Segun is a council member on the Athletics Canada Athlete Council and is a member of the AthletesCAN Diversity & Equity Committee.

Paralyzed in a 2010 car accident, Nandini Sharma took a tragic accident and used it to motivate and inspire herself (and so many others) to be a successful multi-sport Para athlete, competing at the highest levels of international sport. Nandini represented Canada in Para-Ice Hockey at the 2016 Women’s World Ice Sledge Hockey Festival in Skien, Norway, and represented Canada in Para-Athletics at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. Nandini was also one of 55 athletes selected as a Petro-Canada 2019 FACE program grant recipient. There is no doubt her story will inspire everyone to be their best!

Jared Skeath enjoyed success in the throws as a top collegiate athlete. During his time with the University of Guelph Gryphons, Jared earned 3 USport/CIS Gold medals in weight throw. He is also the Guelph Gryphons weight throw school record holder with a mark of 20.53m, an accomplishment that speaks to his hard work since he started as a walk-on athlete. With a love of the throws, Jared parlayed his success in the field to become an Assistant Coach, Throws with the York University Lions Track and Field Club. It’s a remarkable journey that will speak to athletes, coaches and parents!

Each night will also have one winner of an amazing swag bag (or should we say, backpack). As a reminder, everyone who registers to attend – and did we say, it’s FREE – will receive one (1) ballot for the draw. The prize pack includes one of each of the following AO branded items: backpack, baseball cap, long sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt, and windbreaker jacket (items may not be exactly as shown). Register for two nights, and you will have one ballot for night one, and one ballot for night two. Want to increase your odds of winning? You can purchase additional tickets for $10 for one, or $25 for three. After all, “I have too much running gear, said no AO member EVER”.

From recognizing our All-Ontario Athletes, to announcing our Athletes of the Year, to highlighting outstanding contributions to the sport, to hearing from our guest speakers, it is going to be two incredible evenings! We can’t wait to “see” you there!