Riley Bell is the recipient of the Special Olympics Award of Excellence for 2023.
This award recognizes a Special Olympics athlete who has excelled locally, provincially, and nationally and possesses qualities consistent with the Special Olympics mandate “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Riley certainly exemplifies the definition of this award!
Riley is a busy athlete. She competes in the Special Olympics School program in the sports of soccer, basketball, bocce, swimming, snowshoeing, and floor hockey.
In 2019, she was named female athlete of the year for Special Olympics School program. In the same year, Riley attended the Special Olympics World Youth Games in Floor Hockey where her team won a gold medal. With all sports on hold during the pandemic, Riley participated in all of Special Olympics Ontario’s virtual youth games and continued to practice swimming on her own. 2022 and 2023 brought more success as Riley dominated the track winning several gold medals at the Jack Lyons Memorial Track and Field Meet for Special Olympics.
Riley also excels in the pool.
In 2023, Riley competed at the Regional Special Olympics Swimming Championships where she won two gold medals and two silver medals leading her local team to victory in the pool!
Special Olympians join all the athletes in this room in their desire to achieve excellence. As with all athletes, Special Olympians practice hard, play hard and they want to win! Training plans are created, goals are set, and conditioning programs are developed.
Riley loves it all! From practices with her friends to intense competitions against her rivals, Riley perseveres and excels!
Riley is a joy to coach. She listens intently and immediately puts her coaches' suggestions into action. She can be often heard asking, ”So how was that? Riley strives to improve her skills in every sport in which she competes. She is a hard worker giving her all during practices and games.
Riley is a considered wonderful teammate.
She is accepting and sees the best in each of her teammates exemplifying the belief in inclusivity, diversity and acceptance which are the pillars of the Special Olympics program across the world.
This year, with a cast on her foot, Riley volunteered to go in goal for our Floor Hockey team during the championships in Sudbury.
When being in goal was not an option, Riley joined her team on the bus and on the sidelines to cheer them onto a Silver Medal. Yes, Riley is a fierce competitor, but she also is genuinely happy for her teammates and her fellow competitors when they achieve success.
Riley will be presented with her award at the 43rd Annual Induction and Awards Dinner on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Davedi Club. Tickets are available by contacting Larry Tougas (705-303-8104).
