In the National of Sport, the Town of Okotoks has seized the opportunity to celebrate the success of its home-grown athletes.

After some digging, and some input from residents, the Okotoks Museum and Archives has set up an exhibit at the Okotoks Rec Centre, showcasing local athletes who've succeeded at an international level.

Museum Specialist Kathy Coutts says they're not only honouring Okotoks' successful athletes, but they also hope to inspire a whole new generation.

"One of the purposes is the purposed of the exhibit is to acknowledge the accomplishments of local athletes, and to prove you don't have to be from a big city to compete at that national level."

Coutts says there are currently 18 athletes featured in the exhibit, all of whom are Summer athletes.

The Summer athlete exhibit will be on display through August, and Winter athletes will be featured in November and December.

Coutts says the Museum has looked hard into the pool of local athletes, but they're always open to suggestions from the public.

"We certainly don't want to miss anyone," she says. "So we did some of our own research, but we don't want to (miss) anyone."

Coutts says with a such a large pool of talent in Okotoks, they had to set a benchmark, and feature athletes who've seen success at the national or international level.

She also says although so many great athletes have come to Okotoks to play for the local teams, they're focusing on those who call Okotoks home.

"We are trying to limit it to those who were born and raised here, learned to skate here, learned to curl here, and have gone on to do great things," she says.

Coutts says if anyone has a suggestion for a Winter athlete to feature in the exhibit to either call her at 403-938-8969, or email culture@okotoks.ca.

The exhibit can be seen inside the Okotoks Rec Centre, just outside the doors leading to the Piper Arena.

Check the photo gallery below to see the 18 Okotoks athletes currently featured in the National Year of Sport exhibit.