Going for the Gold
There are no comments for this page [ Add Comment ]Sunday, February 3, 2008
By Scott Schwebke
Standard-Examiner Staff
Special Olympians show their snow skills
OGDEN -- As light snow fell Saturday afternoon at Powder Mountain ski resort, Colin MacDonald warmed himself inside a tent and recalled the cool run he had just finished as part of Special Olympics Utah's Winter Games.
"It's powdery," the 23-year-old snowboarder from Sandy said, describing the condition of the slopes.
"The challenging part about it when it's powdery is that it's hard to stay on top."
MacDonald was among 130 intellectually challenged athletes who competed in downhill and cross-country skiing, along with snowboarding and showshoeing, at Powder Mountain and North Fork Park near Liberty.
The athletes ranged in age from 8 to 70 and competed in divisions based on their gender and ability. They were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals along with ribbons.
Gold medal winners will be eligible to compete in the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games at Sun Valley Resort in Idaho.
The road to Saturday's competition wasn't easy, said Lyn Rees, director of development for Special Olympics Utah.
Athletes had to train rigorously and do well in qualifying events to participate, she said.
"Even with intellectual disabilities, that doesn't mean they have physical disabilities that may prevent them from becoming great athletes," she said.
The games gave the athletes a chance to show off their prowess and bolstered their self-esteem, Rees said.
"It builds their confidence level, not only in sports but also in life," she said.
MacDonald, who won a gold medal in the giant slalom snowboard competition during the Special Olympics World Winter Games in 2005 in Nagano, Japan, said Saturday's events allowed him to renew old acquaintances and make new friends.
Another athlete, Tony Marino, a 35-year-old West Valley resident who participated in the giant slalom downhill ski competition, said he was also glad to be on the slopes.
"I like to come out and be with my friends," he said.
Several volunteers said watching the athletes was inspiring.
"They have a great attitude, drive and enthusiasm to do their best," said Scott Pasisz, a 23-year-old from Buffalo, N.Y., who helped out as part of AmeriCorps, a national volunteer organization.
"It's great to be part of it and see the good in everything they do."
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