Special Olympics Team BC 2024: Figure Skating
Kayla Tellier portrait

Special Olympics BC Local

Surrey.

Hometown

New Westminster.

When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?

My mom tricked me into trying out basketball 10 years ago and I got hooked and have picked up other sports since then.   

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

These will be my first National Games and I'm very excited to get this experience and spend more time with my team.

What were your results in the 2023 Special Olympics BC Winter Games? How did you feel about your performance?

I came in first and for my first gold on any of my level 2 report cards, being able to see my own improvement like that was very exciting.

What does it mean to you to be part of Special Olympics Team BC 2024?

I get to know the other figure skaters from other Locals better, which is really cool and I'm really excited to meet other athletes from across Canada.

What is your goal for these National Games?

To get at least one more gold on my report card but hopefully two.

What does competing at National Games mean to you?

New experience and hopefully new friendships.

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

 I've wanted to figure skate since I was really young, but even after discovering Special Olympics, I faced a few barriers to getting started. Since then, I have made really great friends and I love how we all support each other even when we are competing against each other. It's also my only solo sport so I like that my results are all based on how hard I work and not dependent on others even though we're a team.

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

I thought I hated sports until my mom tricked me into trying Special Olympics basketball. Turns out I hated the environment, because in other sporting environments, people just don't have time when you need even just a little extra support or time. Not only did my coaches give me that in Special Olympics, the other athletes were there for me and helped me learn and now I get to do the same for others.

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

I am an actor and I spend a lot of time volunteering and working to help other autistic people like myself. I'm currently involved in a research project to create healthcare resources for born female autistic individuals, and am consulting on another research project around autistic mental health.

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

Creative.

 

SO TEAM BC 2024 ROSTER

SO TEAM BC 2024 HOMEPAGE