Sask. boy takes part in Rio opening ceremony, describes it as "awesome"

Athletes were not the only ones taking part in the opening ceremony at the Rio Olympics… a young boy from Carlyle also made an appearance.

Carter Morrison, 12, was picked to go to Rio de Janeiro as an ambassador for Ronald McDonald House.

“I got picked from McDonalds and they picked me because I’ve been spending lots of time at the Ronald McDonald House when I’ve been sick,” Carter explained to News Talk Radio.

Carter is battling Achondroplasia — a condition that affects the body’s growth — which has led him to undergo a large number of surgeries and checkups from doctors.

Carter got the chance to walk out with two Olympic teams when they were introduced. He describes the experience as “awesome, especially when I got to walk out with Canada, because that’s my home country and I was so excited.”

Carter, unfortunately, did not have time to chat with any members of the Canadian team after walking out with them.

“Because when I was done walking with Canada, I had to go back and walk with Mongolia… I couldn’t talk to any of them.”

Trevor Morrison, Carter’s father, also made the trip to Rio with him, and both were given the chance to see some other sites in the Brazilian city. Carter said one site stands out in his mind.

“I was blown away by Christ the Redeemer because it was so high up and it was big.”

Concerns regarding the Summer Olympics has been well documented through the media — including the Zika virus and security — but Trevor said they had no worries while they were there.

“The McDonalds people had us so well looked after … they spent a lot of time and resources in making sure everyone was OK.”