Calgary athletes bring home 10 medals from Special Olympics World Winter Games

Six athletes from the Calgary area are settling back home after the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy earlier this month — where they won a combined ten medals.

That includes three gold, one silver and six bronze medals.

The six special Olympians were among 90 athletes representing Team Canada in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, speed skating and snowshoeing at the Games.

Cross country skier Sarah McCarthy, 41, was one of three local athletes who came home with a gold medal. She won gold in the 4x1K relay race with teammates Cory Beardy, John O'Neill and Marley Gayler.

She also won bronze in the 2.5K free technique, as well as fourth place in the 1K free technique.

"It felt really great to be on the podium," said McCarthy, who's been cross-country skiing for 23 years.

"It was fun, Italy was nice, and the place where we were skiing was really amazing."

19-year-old alpine skier Maddie Cyr came home from her first trip abroad donning three ribbons — fourth place in slalom, sixth place in giant slalom and sixth place in super-G.

"I was crying happy tears," said Cyr, who noted she dedicated her time on the hill to her mom who is currently in the hospital.

"I know my mom is proud of me, even though she was back home and I was in Italy. She was cheering me on in the hospital."

Jodi Flanagan with the Special Olympics Team Canada mission said the athletes worked extremely hard for their achievements — from daily training sessions to working with mental performance coaches.

She said the medals are great, but their wins go beyond that.

"So much of it was, how are they feeling? How are they succeeding in travelling to another country? How are they succeeding being away from their families and from their usual routines for this length of time?" 

The other athletes from the Calgary area who competed in the World Winter Games are Susan Miko, Elouise Stewart, Jennifer Riddell and Brett Garth.

Altogether, Special Olympics Team Canada brought home 116 medals — 39 gold, 35 silver and 42 bronze.