Saanich’s Mark Hamblett is hoping he skates his way to a personal best time as he competes in speed skating at the BC Winter Games, taking place in Fort St. John this week.
Hamblett joins a team of nine other Special Olympics athletes from around the province competing in speed skating, and nine athletes competing in figure skating, led by Special Olympics BC – Victoria coach Kailee Bowman.
Hamblett says he is hoping his extra training pays off this week:
“I’m really excited to be at the games. I hope to get my personal best by going fast and doing good crossovers”
In addition to his speed skating training, Hamblett keeps fit by distance running, dry land training and cross training in roller skates. He is a multi-sport athlete with Victoria Special Olympics, also competing in floor hockey and on the softball team that won a silver medal at the national championships in 2018.
The games are distinct from the Special Olympics BC Games for Special Olympics athletes. Special Olympics athletes have been competing in the generic BC Games for 17 years, competing in Special Olympics divisions.