FINA medalists to get special gifts on podium in Windsor

When swimmers finish on the podium at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Windsor next month, they won't receive flowers with their medals.

They will receive something truly Canadian.

Each medalist will receive a miniature 3D Muskoka chair.

The local organizing committee partnered with the Windsor Essex District County School Board to develop the unique gift.

But it was three 16-year-old students at Vincent Massey Secondary School who designed the chair and have become project leaders.

Gursimmer Banwait, Storm Ricciotti and Michael Lachance are working around the clock to ensure the chairs are of the highest quality.

Ricciotti tells CTV News the thought of medalists, some of whom competed in the Rio Olympics, keeping one of their creations is “truly amazing.”

Close to 400 of the chairs are being made using 3-D printers at six different high schools in Windsor Essex.

The 25-metre FINA Swimming Championships will begin Dec. 6 at the WFCU.