Prince George Special Olympics athletes brought home the hardware after attending the regional qualifier swim meet in Kelowna recently.
Individuals with an intellectual disability came from various B.C. communities to take part in the competition.
Prince George athletes are hoping to represent Region 8 and Prince George in next year’s Special Olympics B.C. Summer Games held in Prince George.
Prince George had ten Special Olympics athletes who competed in the Kelowna swim competition.
Carla Caputo took three first place finishes and three second place finishes. Greg Cole took a first place, two second places and a third place finish. David Dunn took five first place finishes while Dallas Poole took two first place, two second place, one third and one fourth place finishes.
Josh Pudney took two first places, two seconds, a third place and a fourth place finish.
Spencer Rourke took a second place finish, a sixth place and a seventh place finish, while Sam Russell took two first place and two third place finishes.
Michaela Samsonoff took one second place, one third place, one fifth place and one seventh place finish while Brooklyn Sherba took three first place finishes, and a third.
Marinka VanHage took two first place finishes, a third place and one fifth place finish.
Special Olympics Games run on a four-year cycle, beginning with regionals where athletes compete for the chance to advance to the next provincial games held in Prince George in 2025.
The 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games will feature approximately 1,100 athletes with intellectual disabilities competing with pride in 10 SOBC summer sports, including 10-pin bowling, basketball, bocce, golf, rhythmic gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, softball, swimming, and track and field. From there athletes have the chance to move forward to Special Olympics Canada Summer Games 2026, and in 2027 the Special Olympics World Summer Games.
For more information about how to become an athlete or volunteer with Special Olympics Prince George visit www.specialolympics.ca/prince-george.
