May 14 - The John Labatt Centre will be a house of gold June 21 when Londoners celebrate local Olympic and Paralympic athletes, led by Vancouver gold medal ice dance skaters Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.

The free event begins at 7:30pm on a Monday and city officials hope that Virtue and Moir, the guests of honour, will be joined by as many as 17 other athletes, including gold medal speed skater Christine Nesbitt and hockey gold winners Corey Perry and Drew Doughty,

"Being able to pay tribute to our local athletes will be an exciting opportunity for all Londoners," London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best said.

"Our city has always demonstrated passion and community spirit in support of its athletes, and we were particularly proud to recently cheer for our Canadian Team on home turf at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver."

Also invited were 2008 London Paralympians Tammy McLeod and Adam Dukovich (boccia), Annette Lisabeth (women's goalball); David Willsie (rugby), and Andrea Cole, Darda Sales and Joseph Barker (swimming), 2010 Winter Olympian David Duncan (ski cross) and 2008 Summer Olympians Jessica Zelinka (athletics), Joe Bartoch (swimming), Adam Stern (badminton), Adam Trupish (boxing) and Adam Kreek and Lesley Thompson-Willie (rowing).

The celebration is one of many for Virtue of London and Moir of Ilderton, who followed their gold in dance in Vancouver by winning the world championships in Turin, Italy. The pair has been feted from Monaco to NHL rinks and honoured by the Michigan community where they live and train. They will join a parade and celebration in Ilderton June 12.

(Jonathan Sher) (The End)