We are thrilled to congratulate Campbell River’s Hazen Meade, 2021 Special Olympics Canada Athlete of the Year, and Kelowna’s David Wilkinson, 2021 Special Olympics Canada Coach of the Year!
Meade and Wilkinson earned their well-deserved accolades in Special Olympics Canada’s 33rd annual National Awards Night, broadcast on TSN’s Facebook Page on December 2. Watch the show below!
Known for his speed on the athletics and snowshoeing tracks, “Blazin Hazen” Meade was the deserving recipient of SOBC’s 2021 Athletic Achievement Award.
He has been an active athlete for 25 years, participating in athletics, Club Fit, snowshoeing, softball, and swimming. In his time with Special Olympics, he has earned 16 Special Olympics Canada Games medals and two Special Olympics World Games medals.
Meade is the deserving winner of the 2021 Special Olympics Canada Athlete of the Year Award.
“Special Olympics is so important to me because it helps me to have a healthy lifestyle, to meet and know new people, and it allows all athletes to have fun as well as to go see new places,” Meade said in his acceptance speech.
“He’s a tough competitor, but such a nice guy,” national awards night co-host Sebastien Hamel-Bordeau said about Meade during the show. The two have raced against each other at Special Olympics Canada Games.
In his 18 years with Special Olympics BC, Wilkinson has coached and empowered athletes to succeed at every level, from grassroots competitions to World Games. Wilkinson is the deserving recipient of SOBC’s 2021 Howard Carter Award for coaching excellence, and a 2021 Special Olympics Canada Coach of the Year Award.
“Our Special Olympics athletes are world-class athletes. They train so hard to be the best they can be. They are an inclusive and accepting community and they exemplify the true meaning of sportsmanship. They are an inspiration to us all,” Wilkinson said his acceptance speech.
Sincere congratulations to all of this year’s Special Olympics Canada Award winners and finalists! The list of finalists includes:
- Athlete of the Year Finalist Susan Wang, SOBC – Surrey
- Jim Thompson Award Finalist Susan Foisy, SOBC – Kelowna
- Frank Selke Jr. Fundraising Volunteer of the Year Award Finalist Manse Binkley, Harmony Acura & Harmony Honda, Kelowna
- Rob Plunkett Law Enforcement Torch Run Award Finalist Sheri Lucas, retired Oak Bay Police Department Sargent