Allen Hahner’s favourite things about SOBC are spending time with friends and meeting new people.

“At Special Olympics they are like family because they all know me,” the Special Olympics BC – Cowichan Valley athlete says. “It is fun to be around people I really care about.”

Hahner currently participates in 5-pin bowling, and in the past he has also played floor hockey, soccer, and softball.

Hahner says his most memorable experience with Special Olympics was competing with the SOBC – Port Alberni floor hockey team at the 2015 SOBC Winter Games in Kamloops. Even though he didn’t know many players on the team, Hahner said his new teammates welcomed and made him feel included.

“It felt very good,” he said.

Hahner says he made a lot of friends while playing with the SOBC – Port Alberni team, and he still likes to keep in touch with them online.

Another great memory for Hahner was competing in 5-pin bowling at the 2014 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Vancouver. He says he was proud to be a member of Team BC and it was fun to meet new people.

“It was great to bowl with people we weren’t used to and hang out with them!” he said.

Hahner captured a bronze medal with the SOBC – Cowichan Valley team and won a gold medal in individual competition.

“It actually felt good! I had never won a gold in my life – but it actually felt good!” he said.

Hahner said having his parents there to see him receive his medals was an amazing experience.

“It was really good to have them around!” he said.

Hahner works chopping, stacking, and delivering firewood through Valley Integration to Active Living Society. He enjoys his job and says it is great exercise. Hahner says he likes going to 5-pin bowling practices after work because it helps him relax and he loves to hang out with his friends.

Hahner says he has learned a lot with Special Olympics. He says sharing his knowledge with new SOBC – Cowichan Valley athletes is a very rewarding experience, and he looks forward to doing more of this in the future.