The results have been compiled and Victoria Special Olympics athletes were awarded five medals in six disciplines at the Special Olympics BC Winter Games held in Vernon February 21-23.
Speed skater Sarah Maxwell was golden in her race and stood on the podium alongside her Victoria teammate Liz Ashton who won silver. Speed skater Chris Thorpe won the bronze in his event.
In the figure skating event Saanich’s Desiree Grubell won a silver medal and in curling the Victoria Vipers, comprised of Drew Denny, Kevin Nunn, Danny Pace, Patrick Reid and Drew Sabourin claimed the gold medal. Curling coach James Amarelo says Victoria’s curlers, who train at the Victoria Curling Club, put forth an amazing effort at the provincial games.
“It was great to see them at such a high level of competition and doing something most teams forget about, which is having fun and being really supportive of each other. Leadership came from all members of the team”
More than 600 athletes with intellectual disabilities from all over BC participated in the Games. The top performers will qualify for the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games set to take place in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
