SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Hay River's Brendan Green hits the trails today with Canada's 4 x 7.5 km Olympic men's biathlon relay team in Whistler.

Ski club youth, from left, Liam McKay, Angus Wilson, Alice Storrie, Tamika Mulders, Hanna Wilson, Mary Buckland and Oliver Hodgins, wear green in support of NWT's Olympic athlete Brendan Green. - photo courtesy of Christian Manzoni

The race begins at 12:30 p.m. mountain standard time, and Green is expected to be the anchor leg for Canada. The town of Hay River is asking supporters to deck themselves out in green clothing in celebration of the race. As well, the Riverview Cineplex in the town will be showing the race in one of its theatres.

The Yellowknife Ski Club is also encouraging people to wear green today. Ski club secretary Rhonda Buckland said the club was planning on hosting some kind of event at the club's chalet, but nothing materialized.

One location that will be showing the race on television is the Yellowknife Curling Centre. The 2011 Canada Winter Games playdowns are happening that afternoon between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., but centre manager Louise Marcinkoski said the big screen will be on to allow people the chance to watch the race.

"People can stop by and get some lunch and we'll have it on," she said.

It's not official as of yet, but Yellowknife Education District No. 1 may also encourage students to get into the spirit. Yk1 superintendent Metro Huculak said he will definitely be donning his green suit.

"We have to support all NWT athletes, no matter where they come from," he said. "It's wonderful for all of us, no matter if he went to school here or somewhere else in the NWT. Kids are kids and when they do well, it bodes well for everyone."

Some MLAs will also get into the green spirit. Hay River North MLA Paul Delorey said he plans to join the green parade.

"I don't have a green suit, but I do have a nice green tie, so I'll be wearing that on Friday," he said.

The impact of having someone from Hay River actually compete at the Winter Olympics is hard to put into words, Delorey added.

"I don't think the enormity of the situation has set in yet for everyone," he said. "People compete for a lifetime to make the Olympic team and just getting there, I think, is a tremendous accomplishment and it's proof that if you set your mind to something, work hard and dream big, you can accomplish anything. He's already a winner for getting there and all of Hay River, and all the North, for that matter, are proud of what he's done, I'm sure."