David Dunn grabbed a gold medal in his first-ever Special Olympics at the 1600-meter snowshoe race in Calgary last week. Over 800 athletes with intellectual disabilities competed in the Games from Feb. 27 to March 2.
Marinka VanHage earned a silver medal in both the mixed 4 x 100-meter relay and the individual 400-meter snowshoe race, achieving her personal best times. Curlers Sam Russell and Spencer Rourke showcased skill in the Quesnel Fury curling team, making impressive plays despite not winning.
Lance Pattinson, a five-pin bowling athlete, secured a fifth-place individual score and seventh place in the team’s division as part of the Dawson Creek team. These local athletes, part of Team BC, dedicated a year to training for the national competition.
The Special Olympics follows a four-year cycle, progressing from regionals to provincials, nationals, and worlds. The Special Olympics Canada Winter Games occur every four years.
