A group of Prince George Special Olympics athletes showed their strength on the powerlifting stage last Saturday at the regional championships in Mackenzie and carried that weight to the medal podium.
Ruth Caldwell, Sam Russell, Leif Skuggedal and Marinka VanHage all came home with gold medals, while Diana Bramble, Adam Spokes and Greg Cole had silver medal achievements.
The athletes competed in bench press and deadlift events.
“It has been a few years since they competed so the athletes were excited to test their strength,” said Wilma VanHage, Special Olympics Prince George public relations co-ordinator.
“This competition was the first powerlifting competition for the coaches (Connor McLaughlin and Peter Goudal). They were very impressed with how well it was ran and said Mackenzie did a great job.”
The regional event is the first in a four-year cycle that leads to Special Olympics World Summer Games.
Prince George will host the B.C. Special Olympics Summer Games July 10-13, 2025.
The event is expected to attract close to 1,400 athletes with intellectual disabilities competing in 10-pin bowling, basketball, bocce, golf, rhythmic gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball, swimming, and track and field.
