Special Olympics BC – Vernon’s Justin Sigal is a talented cross country skier who is looking forward to representing his country at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria.

“I’m very proud to be a Canadian, to compete for my country, and to represent everyone who has supported me in the last 27 years,” he said.

Sigal said he was surprised when he received a letter saying he had earned a spot on Special Olympics Team Canada 2017.

“I was actually in shock,” he said. "I was not expecting it.”

Sigal said qualifying for the 2017 World Games is his greatest achievement with Special Olympics, and his family members were very excited when they heard the news.

“They were really proud,” Sigal said. “They are very proud of me and my accomplishments.”

In December 2016, Sigal attended a training camp for Team Canada cross country skiers in Vernon. Sigal said it was a great opportunity to meet his teammates from across the country. He also got to put on his Team Canada uniform for the first time.

“The outfit was comfortable and it looked pretty sweet. I can’t wait to race in it!” he said.

Sigal has experience taking part in big competitions. He qualified for the 2017 World Games through his stellar performance at the 2016 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, where he won a gold and silver medal in cross country skiing events.

“It felt pretty amazing,” Sigal said. “I wasn’t focusing on the results per se. I was just focusing on the two races I was in.”

Sigal also participates in golf with SOBC – Vernon. He says being a part of SOBC has been good for his social life and has given him many opportunities to make new friends.

“I’ve met some great people in Special Olympics – athletes and coaches alike!” he said.

Sigal has a job with Tim Hortons, where he has been working for 10 years. His responsibilities include operating the cash register, cleaning dishes, and doing other tasks around the restaurant. Sigal says he appreciates how the job allows him to take time off for training and competitions.

“The people there are very supportive and flexible,” he says.

Sigal says he has learned a lot while working at Tim Hortons, including how to take orders, make drinks and be a better listener. He says his coworkers are very nice and he enjoys talking with them.

Going forward, Sigal says his goals for the World Games in March are to “have fun, do my best, enjoy the experience, and represent my country the best I can.”

After the Games, Sigal says he wants to go travelling and enjoy some downtime with friends and family.