As we enter the final few days of competition, Special Olympics Team Canada closed out Friday by adding an impressive 24 medals to the count.
Powerlifters led the way with each competitor winning multiple medals and the all women’s soccer team securing a bronze - the first for Canada’s team sports.
The team has high hopes for a strong finish as final competitions take place Saturday and Sunday.
BEST IN BROADCAST
FRiday COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS
- The women’s soccer team clinched bronze with an extremely exciting 2-1 win over Special Olympics Bharat. Alberta’s Eileen Mooney scored the game-winning goal with an absolute rocket.
- Swimmers forged a path from the pool to the podium. Nova Scotia’s Caleb Lake, Quebec’s Miori Hénault and British Columbia’s Kelsey Wyse won golds.
- Athletics athletes racked up more results. Quebec’s Jessica Larivée and Manitoba’s Alec Baldwin led the pack with golds.
- Powerlifters are getting a workout carrying all their medals. Four athletes were in action on Friday, winning a total of 15 medals.
- Bowlers hit the mark with Manitoba’s Colleen Voth winning silver and British Columbia’s Rachel Peers earning bronze.
- The women’s basketball team won a hard-fought game over Morocco 18-7. One of the keys to victory was the tenacious play of Ontario’s Kaylee Legault.
- In bocce action, the men’s doubles team played hard and set themselves up for a gold-medal match on Saturday.
IN The spotlight
Ontario’s Josée Séguin may have finished competition with four gold medals, but she still has a goal for World Games — to cheer on her teammates.
“They cheered for me and now it’s time for me to give back the energy they gave me on my lift day.”
Josée says the powerlifters have a strong bond and are great at supporting each other. On Friday, she watched teammates Reetu Chahal, Marley Gayler, Aaron Higgins and Daniel Moores compete. She says she was more nervous for them than she was for herself.
“I just want to hop on that stage and help them get that weight up.”
Josée says she’s also grateful to the coaches and mission staff member who helped the powerlifters reach their potential.
“Thank you to Duane, Jeff and Jacquie for all the amazing hard work you’ve done. I couldn’t have done my lifts without you guys.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I was always picked last when I was a kid,” shares Ontario’s Annick Léger. “If I could go back and tell myself that one day I would be a champion, I think that would have been pretty good.”
PHOTO OF THE DAY
IN THE NEWS
CTV: 'I feel very proud': Local athletes strike gold at Special Olympics World Games
NTV: Newfoundlander brings home gold for Canada at Special Olympics World Games
WATCH THE GAMES ON TSN
Cheer on Special Olympics Team Canada from home!
TSN is an official broadcast partner for the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023.
FOLLOW THE TEAM ON SOCIAL
Keep up with daily Games highlights and behind-the-scenes moments with Special Olympics Team Canada by following @SpecialOCanada on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Please share to help spotlight the success of our Canadian athletes overseas and build awareness for the Special Olympics movement.