It has been just over a month since the Provincial Winter Games wrapped up here in North Bay and some of our local athletes have received some much-anticipated good news.
North Bay Special Olympic Athletes Benjamin Chain, Jonathan Touw, and Carley Tucker found out this week that they will be attending the 2016 National Winter Games in Newfoundland next February.
Carley Tucker, who was participating in her very first Provincial Winter Games, was able to win two Gold medals for Snowshoeing.
“It was so awesome after I got my notification about qualifying,” said Tucker, who is a student at Widdifield Secondary School.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be able to go with some friends and I’m really looking forward to the experience in Newfoundland with all the other athletes. It’s going to be so great!”
Heading to Nationals with Carley is fellow Widdifield student Jonathan Touw, who also competed in Snowshoeing; winning two Silver medals as a result.
Accompanying Carley and Jon is Alpine Skier Benjamin Chain, who competed in his 4th Provincial Games last month in North Bay and took home Gold and two Silver medals in his respective sport.
Local Coordinator for the Near North Special Olympics group Rob Saunders expressed his excitement for the Athletes.
“I’m thrilled for them to say the least,” said Saunders, who has been involved with Special Olympics for the past 33 years.
“All of these athletes worked very hard to get where they are and they certainly deserved this recognition. The 3 of them will do North Bay proud!”
The 2015 Provincial Winter Games saw over 450 athletes and coaches from all across Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba come to North Bay to compete in 6 sports including Figure Skating, Cross-country Skiing, Curling, Snowshoeing, Alpine Skiing, and Speed Skating.
A total of15 local athletes represented North Bay at the Games as part of the North East District from January 29th to February 1st which multiple athletes earning medals in their respective sport.
With Carley, Jonathan, and Ben qualifying for the National Games in Newfoundland, each of them will have the opportunity to compete with other athletes from across Canada with the chance to qualify for the 2017 World Games in Austria.