Nine Special Olympics B.C. athletes are returning home to Prince George from the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games, with medals, personal bests and new friends.
The games were held in Thunder Bay, Ont. Since they only happen every four years for many of the athletes it was their first time competing at a national level.
The Special Olympics game cycle operates on a four-year cycle. These athletes competed at a regional level three years ago, and those that qualified went on to compete at provincial games last year, which led them to the Canada Winter Games this year, and those that qualify have a chance to compete at an international level next year.
The Prince George athletes competed in five-pin bowling, cross country skiing and curling.
The athletes have been training a minimum of three times a week for the past three years and were ready and fit to compete.
A team of five Prince George athletes competed in 5 pin bowling and their team placed 8th in the team competition. The team also competed in singles and Audrey Nelson won a silver medal in her division. Teammates Debbie Bileck placed 4th, Danielle Cavenaille placed sixth, Mathew Brewer placed 6th and Adam Spokes placed 7th.
Three athletes competed in cross country skiing. Barbie Conway won a 4th place finish in the 500m and 2.5 km, and 6th place in the 1 km. Danny Lafreniere won a gold medal in the 5 km, and placed 5th in the 2.5 km. Josh Pudney won a gold medal in the 2.5 km and placed 4th in the 5 km.
Sam Russell also competed as a member of the Kingfishers Curling team from Kitimat which placed 6th in their division.
The athletes are arriving back home today (March 1) from Ontario and will be welcomed home by friends, family and supporters at the airport.
