2024 Athletic Achievement Award Winner: Wayne Gowanlock
For 25 years, multi-sport athlete Wayne Gowanlock has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to performance at Special Olympics. Gowanlock has won medals at both national and international levels, earning himself a reputation as a skillful and hyper-focused athlete. Adding onto his list of accomplishments, Gowanlock has been named the 2024 recipient of Special Olympics BC’s Athletic Achievement Award.
An accomplished bocce player, Gowanlock won Special Olympics Team Canada a silver medal and a fourth-place spot at Berlin’s Special Olympics World Games 2023. He was a member of SO Team BC for bocce and bowling, representing the province at the 2020 and 2023 National Games. Previous Provincials saw him earn a 5-pin bowling gold medal, with an impressive score of 301. Currently, he is registered in bocce, swimming, golf and snowshoeing at Special Olympics BC – Elk Valley.
In addition to his athletic abilities, Gowanlock is recognized for his sportsmanship, often being the first to shake hands with the game winner or praising others for a good shot played. He is a role model to his teammates and shows respect to all coaches, officials and athletes. Gowanlock also acts as an inspiration to other people with intellectual disabilities in his community, demonstrating his sport skills and his experience living independently to special education students at a nearby high school. He advises the students on topics such as personal finances, grocery shopping, cooking and laundry.
Gowanlock is passionate about fitness and performance improvement, demonstrated by his time in his local gym and his participation in multiple sports. Outside of his involvement as a Special Olympics athlete, he volunteers as a security guard for a local Junior Hockey League.
Special Olympics BC offers congratulations to Gowanlock and the 2024 award nominees!