#BCMulticulturalismWeek with Salvador Garcia Cano: Finding Community in Sport
Nov 19, 2024
Born in Mexico, Salvador Garcia Cano Olvera made a life-changing move to Canada 18 years ago. What began as a difficult transition ultimately led him to find his true calling—not as an athlete, but as a coach, shaping the next generation of gymnasts in a new country.
Salvador’s love for gymnastics began at age four, when his parents—both former gymnasts—introduced him to the sport. “I was full of energy, always bouncing around. Gymnastics was the perfect fit for me,” he shares. Over the next fourteen years, he pushed himself to reach a high-performance level, excelling in the sport. In 2006, when Salvador moved to Montreal, he made the difficult decision to retire from competition.
The move to Canada was not easy. Salvador did not know English or French, which made even the simplest tasks—like shopping for groceries or meeting new people—feel overwhelming. “It was tough. Every interaction was a challenge,” he recalls. However, after enrolling in language classes for immigrants, Salvador’s confidence grew, and soon he was able to navigate life in a new country more easily.
As time passed, Salvador found that he missed gymnastics—its discipline, the sense of community, and the way it had shaped his life. He began attending drop-in gymnastics classes to reconnect with the sport. It didn’t take long for him to realize that he wanted to do more than just participate—he wanted to give back by coaching.
Breaking into coaching wasn’t easy. “I had no experience, and finding a gym willing to hire me was tough,” Salvador recalls. However, his ability to connect with others—rooted in his warm Mexican heritage—helped him stand out. At a new gymnastics centre, he quickly built rapport with staff and athletes, fostering trust and mutual respect that made him the natural choice for the role. “In Mexico, we value relationships,” he says. “If you treat people with respect and show you care, they’ll believe in you.” His persistence and personal touch eventually landed him the job.
In 2019 Salvador was selected as the Team Coach for Alberta at the Canada Winter Games and also served as the team coach for both the Canadian National Championships and the Western Championships. Today, he is the Head Coach of both the men’s and women’s Artistic Gymnastics programs at the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Club, where he continues to inspire and mentor young athletes.
In 2023, Salvador’s dedication to his craft was recognized when he was awarded the Northern BC Coaching and Officiating Development (NBC) Grant. With the support of this grant, Salvador has been able to deepen his knowledge and take a Learning Facilitator course, enabling him to train and certify coaches throughout Northern BC.
Looking back on his journey, Salvador offers this advice to newcomers who want to pursue their dreams in a new country: “Don’t be afraid to start something new. Canada is a place where possibilities are endless. If you have the will to succeed, there are resources and opportunities to help you reach any personal or professional goal, whether as an athlete or a coach.”
His story is a testament to the power of resilience, hard work, and the willingness to embrace change. Salvador has not only built a successful career in gymnastics but has also become a pillar of the gymnastics community, helping others grow along the way.
