Athlete: Alexander Pang
AGE: 21
FROM: VANCOUVER, B.C.
ROCK THE RINK PERFORMANCE: october 7 at thunderbird arena in vancouver, b.c.
1. How long have you been figure skating?
This will be my 11th year of being on the ice.
2. What other sports do you play?
Basketball and softball.
3. How long have you been involved with Special Olympics?
I have been involved with Special Olympics for 11 years.
4. What is the biggest figure skating competition/performance you’ve done to date?
Competing in the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Graz, Austria.
5. What was your reaction when you found out you’d be performing at Rock the Rink?
Surreal, and then clouded with a sense of anxieties.
6. How are you preparing for this performance?
Mentally preparing myself for the program.
7. Who is your favourite figure skater(s)?
Kurt Browning for his creative artistic flair and Patrick Chan for his technical foot work.
8. What do you love about skating?
Being free, to be able to express and escape myself from reality.
9. Tell me about what you’ll be performing at Rock the Rink.
Special Olympics Level 5 – The music to Avengers.
10. What do you hope the audience will take away from your performance at Rock the Rink?
Captivating the audience and allowing them to see that even though we have challenges, we can also shine as an athlete – to be inclusive means a lot.
11. What do you like about Special Olympics? How has it changed your life?
What I like about Special Olympics is that it does not limit any disabilities, we are treated the same. All coaches, volunteers, and supporters have so much patience and always helps us to go beyond our greatest expectations. Skills we never expected to achieve is possible.
My journey with Special Olympics has changed in both areas of my life, the physical point of view as an athlete, and the social aspect of knowing who I am. Every experience from being coached, training, going abroad to compete for the National and World Games has provided me with skills for boosting my self esteem, being independent and a sense that all things are possible.
12. After Rock the Rink, what’s next?
Next goal is to win a placing in the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020 and to compete in the Special Olympics World Winter Games Sweden 2021.