REGINA – About 140 athletes from 10 Saskatchewan communities competed in the Special Olympics Saskatchewan Provincial Winter Games over the weekend.
“This is their time to shine. This is what they’ve practiced for, worked hard for,” said Faye Matt, the CEO of Special Olympics Saskatchewan, at the Tartan Curling Club on Friday.
The athletes participated in floor hockey, curling, figure skating, and snowshoeing on Friday and Saturday. Sunday was dedicated to a health program.
Figure skater Susan Keith performed at the Jack Staples Ice Arena on Saturday.
“I’m excited I’ve got my silver medal!” she exclaimed holding up her new hardware.
Keith, who has been skating for 23 years, set her sights on the gold medal for next games.
Her excitement is something her coach felt too.
“Just seeing their faces at the end of their programs is the world to me,” said David Czerniak, who coaches figure skating in Regina for the organization. “Just knowing the girls and what they have to do to achieve what they’re doing on the ice is, it’s hard for them sometimes but they do it. They never give up.”
Medals weren’t the priority for every athlete.
“I’m trying to lose some weight,” said snowshoer Kim Duesterbeck, who lives in Mellville, at Douglas Park.
Regardless of the final score: “I always keep my head up and be happy.”
Athletes at the games had the chance to qualify for the 2016 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.
Matt said the impact of competing is already being felt: “They’re learning tools they can use in their jobs, in their social networks to really add to their communities.”
The games will be continuing in the near future with alpine skiing and speed skating.
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