Special Olympics BC Local:

Surrey

Hometown:

Surrey

When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?

I first got involved with Special Olympics four years ago when a friend asked if I wanted to try it out.

Will these be your first Special Olympics Canada Games? If not, which other National Games did you compete in, and in what sports?

My first National Games for Special Olympics was the 2018 National Summer Games in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, for track and field.

What were your results in the 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games? How did you feel about your performance?

I received a silver medal in the 777m and 1000m races. I also got a gold medal in the 500m but best of all I got a personal best in the 500m race! I felt incredibly proud of my accomplishments because I didn't even know how to skate four years go and I really trained hard to get to the Winter Games.

What does it mean to you to be part of Special Olympics Team BC 2020?

Being a part of Team BC means a lot. It's an honour to represent BC and Special Olympics along with the other dedicated athletes who are just as passionate about their sport as I am.

What is your goal for these National Games?

My goal at the National Games is to be prepared to preform to the best of my ability and try to achieve personal bests in my races. I also want to bring positive energy with my team and hopefully move on to the World Games. 

What does competing at National Games mean to you?

Competing at Nationals means I have an opportunity to be the best that I can be on and off the ice, and to make my province and team proud. 

What do you like most about the sport you will compete in at National Games?

The thing I like the most about my sport is skating as fast as I can! I feel like a bird flying in the sky when I skate around the ice. It's exhilarating, I love it! 

What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date?

I've had many great moments with Special Olympics, but one of my favourite moments to date is when I received my contract to be apart of the Special Olympics Team BC 2020 Training Squad in speed skating!

What would you tell someone about Special Olympics to encourage them to get involved?

I think I would say to someone to help them get involved in Special Olympics is that it's made my life better. I never really played sports before and now I compete at track and speed skating and it's put me on a healthier path. Most of all, you will have so much fun competing and going to great events and meeting new people. 

What other Special Olympics sports do you participate in?

The other sport I participate in is track and field.

Please tell us a little bit more about yourself! What else would you like people to know about you?

When I'm not speed skating or at track, I like to go to movies with my friends and play video games with my twin brother. I enjoy hiking through the forest and reading comic books. I also enjoy drawing and animation, as well as being a sci-fi geek. My favourite colour is green, I work part-time at a U-haul, and like I previously said I have a twin brother too! 

What is one word you would use to describe yourself? :)

Humorous.