Athletes at Special Olympics left lasting impact

By Ryan McCracken on November 24, 2017.

I volunteered for the powerlifting portion at the Alberta Summer Special Olympics in Medicine Hat this past July, and I can honestly say that it was a life changing experience.

I competed for several years as a high level athlete. I was fortunate to represent our great country in the sport of Olympic weightlifting for roughly 10 years. I got to travel all over the world, and experience some remarkable things. To be honest with you, I never really thought much about Special Olympics or any other athletic organization for that matter. I was so immersed in my own competition that I never really had the time to experience or be involved in anything else.

Now that my life does not involve athletic competition, I have the opportunity to experience other things.

The Alberta Special Olympics was one for the ages. Never in my life have I seen athletes have so much fun when they compete. Every attempt that the athletes had on the competition platform was incredible. For the most part, whether the athlete made or missed their attempt, there was absolute joy on their faces. It was truly an exhilirating experience. There was one athlete in particular that stood out in my mind. I don’t know his name or even where he is from, but his face and his passion resonated with me. He had such determination in his eyes, and you could truly see the love of the sport in his eyes, whether he made or missed his attempts. Athlete’s everywhere could learn from this particular athlete.

I mentioned earlier that the Special Olympics in Medicine Hat was a life changing experience. Ever since the games, I have been racking my brain as to how we at the Alberta Sport Development Centre at Medicine Hat College could help facilitate these incredible athletes.

Alex Graham, one of the strength & conditioning coaches with us at the Alberta Sport Development Centre has a lot of experience working with Special Olympics athletes. We have chatted on several occasions about how to facilitate these athletes. Most likely, we will include them in our Athlete Enhancement Program in the 2018/2019 session.

If you, or anyone you know has any further ideas or suggestions on how we at Medicine Hat College can facilitate Special Olympics athletes, please reach out to me.

Stay tuned.

Cory Coehoorn is the coordinator of the Alberta Sport Development Centre at Medicine Hat College. He would love to chat with you and answer any questions that you may have regarding their programs and services. He can be reached via email at ccoehoorn@mhc.ab.ca or via phone at 403-504-3547.

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