BY SABRINA BYRNES

World champion and Olympic medalist Jeffrey Buttle was acknowledged Tuesday by the city of  Greater Sudbury for his achievements. Buttle was given a plaque by Mayor John Rodriguez at the Countryside Arena, where he was giving a skate clinic.

"Jeffrey is a model for young people in Sudbury. We're proud of this young man and what he's done for himself and for his family, for his country and for the city that he skates for," said Rodriguez.

"He gives back to the community and that's a very, very valuable quality."

Buttle, whose home club has been The Sudbury Figure Skating Club since 1994, holds a skate clinic there at least once a year. He said hosting the clinic is important because he had the same opportunity when he was training.
Buttle considered the mayor's presentation to be an honour.

"It's a huge honour. I've always skated and done skating because I love to do it. It brings me huge pride to know that people have received it well or are proud of me," the athlete stated.

With many accomplishments behind him, Buttle's words of encouragement for new skaters are simple:
"The most important thing is to love what you do and the rest will fall into place. Hard work never seems so hard when you enjoy what you do."