After years of training and competition to reach the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games, the members of Team Canada from B.C., including a Maple Ridge girl, delivered in Austria from March 14-24.
Maple Ridge's Katherine St. Amand competed in alpine skiing, and won a silver medal.
Special Olympics Team Canada's 16 athletes, eight coaches, and one mission staff member from B.C competed on the world stage in alpine skiing, cross country skiing, figure skating, snowshoeing, and speed skating, all of the B.C. athletes medalled, collectively earning 11 gold, 10 silver, and five bronze.
Their achievements at these World Games mark the culmination of an exciting four-year journey, as the B.C. athletes progressed through regional qualifiers in 2014, the 2015 Special Olympics BC Winter Games, and the 2016 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games to earn the opportunity to compete in Austria.
"We are very proud of this province's members of Special Olympics Team Canada 2017. They trained so hard to be able to perform at their best on the world stage, and they showed such inspiring dedication, sportsmanship, and skill," said Lois McNary, Special Olympics BC vice-president.
The 2017 World Games Closing Ceremony wrapped up the events in Austria on the evening of March 24.
The games in Austria brought together more than 2,600 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 1,100 coaches from 105 countries.