Pigeon racing in Calgary is a passion for life: ‘Once it gets a hold of you, you’re done’

More than 30 years ago, David McKop travelled from his native Zimbabwe to Calgary for a holiday.

During his vacation, as he was driving down Deerfoot Trail, he noticed pigeons in the sky – he could tell they were racing birds, not wild ones, just by the way they flew. A third-generation enthusiast of the sport, Mr. McKop couldn’t help himself; he followed the birds in his car as they returned to their home coop.