Olympian van Koeverden seeks political gold in Lisa Raitt's Ontario riding

It's cold and justafter dawnat the Milton, Ont. Go Train station platform, wherea man dressed casually in jeans and a denim jacketintroduces himselfto thecommuters rushing toward the awaiting train.

"Hi. My name isAdam. I'm running to be your next MP," he says.

"Yes, I know who you are," says one commuter.

Sometake his political flyer and continue on, others stop to chat for a minute or two, while a fewask him to pose for a selfie.

"Adam" happens to be Adam van Koeverden, thefour-time Olympic medal winner (including gold)in sprint kayaking, Canada's flag-bearer at the Olympic Games in Athens and Beijingand holder ofeight worldchampionship medals.

Biggest star candidate

When it comes to so-calledstar candidates, van Koeverden is arguably the biggest in this election. The Liberals hope he can translatesome of that star power and competitive know-how intoanother gold-medal performance, this time by taking outa politicalgiant in this riding, about 60 kilometreswest of Toronto.

His opponent is the incumbent MP Lisa Raitt, a former Conservative cabinet minister and party leadership contender, and currently deputy leader of the Conservative Party.

A win here by the Liberals would not only grab a seat that has been traditionally Conservative. It would be an important victory inthe coveted 905 area and also knock out a political veteran in the bargain.

In 2015, Raitt only won the riding by five per cent over her Liberal challenger, Azim Rizvee, suggesting the Liberalsbelieve that the added star power van Koeverden brings may just be enough to defeatRaitt.

Indeed, van Koeverden's nomination sparked some controversy, withRizvee claimingthat Liberal LeaderJustin Trudeau pushed him to resign so that van Koeverden could run.

A spokesman for the Liberals had previously told CBC Newsthatthe Milton nomination was held in accordance with the party's nomination rules.

But van Koeverden downplays his fame as an Olympianand theadvantage it might give himin the campaign.

"It's who Iam. I can't disconnect it from who Iam and it demonstrates a capacity for hard work. I keep telling people Ienjoyed representingCanadians at the Olympics and Iwant to continuerepresenting Canadians in a different capacity.

"I lead withissues, Ilead with the record. Ilead with my plans for Milton. And if somebodywants to talk about the Olympics, then I'm happy to chatabout it. But it doesn'tcome up at most times."

Raitt herself believesshe has the advantage over the rookie campaigner.

She points out that her childrenhave grown up in the community, and that when she knocks on doors she finds a hockey or soccer coach she knows, or someone who went to school with her kids a personalconnection.

"This isn't being arrogant at all," she says in a CBCphone interview."But I do think that I have ahigher profile in my riding as theirMP for 11 years and with being a mom in the areathan the guy who did wonderful on the world stage winning gold medalsbut isn't from Milton.

"He's not in our sports hall of fame. He's never been celebrated as a hometown hero."

Racing against an Olympic hero

Van Koeverden grew up in nearby Oakville. But is it oddfor Raitt to take on someone that she, like millions of Canadians,was cheering on in the Olympics?

"It's even better," she says, laughing. "It was [the Conservative government's] program Own the Podium that helped him."

Raitt says she doesn't really see politicsas competition against someone else that it's more about competing with yourself to go out every day and find the votes.

On that point, vanKoeverdenagrees, comparing it topaddling in hisown lane in the Olympics.

"I'm runningfor my neighbours in Milton, not particularly against anyone."

That's not to say the campaign hasn'thad its moments of testiness. Last September,van Koeverden drew a sharp rebuke fromRaitt after he tweeted about theover 30 "incredible public schools in Milton."

"I'm proud to stand with the Liberal government that sees our public education system as a strength, not as a place where parents put their children because they're too busy the way Andrew Scheer & the Conservatives do."

Raitt saw this as a personal shot, and fired back.

"In 11 years I have NEVER had any candidate in any race question my parenting because I am a Conservative. To say that I am furious is an understatement. Leave my kids out of this," she tweeted.

Political inexperience

Asked about van Koeverden's tweet, Raittchalked it up to political inexperience and suggested it wasn't the product of malice.

But van Koeverden insists that his tweet was not an attack on Raitt. Instead, he saidhe was just arguing that the Conservatives were offering tax breaks for wealthyfamilieswho send theirchildren to private schools and that the policy ultimatelydegrades and undermines the public school system.

"Look, I'm not making anything personal."

Van Koeverden also rejects the notion that he's some rookie. "I'm not as new as people think."

He citeshis work in two federal governmentworking groups on gender based violence and gender inclusionin sports, his role as chair and vice chair of Team Canada'sAthletes' Commission and other work for charitiesand NGOs.

Still, he says, winning won't be easy.

"I don't do easy things. I didn't take it on because I thoughtitwouldbe easy. I took it on because I know it would be worth it."

For some undecided voters inMilton, however, having a star candidate in their riding isn't enough to move their vote.

"I just think it's a last ditch effort to gain a vote. Bring in somebody famous," says Mike Labencki.

Van Koeverden'sOlympic career, however, should not be completely discounted, says Milton resident Josh Van Dreumel.

"It'sclear he has conviction, he's a hard worker. So that says a lot about his character. As far as my vote goes, I would say it's more about what he's going to do for Milton."