In a few weeks, more than 700 athletes from across the province and the Northwest Territories will be gathering in Grande Prairie to compete in the 2015 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games.
Among them will be the Crowsnest Pass’ Special Olympians Philip Mullen, Anthony Bramer and Tyler Birch.
The trio will be racing in alpine skiing events against teams from Calgary, Edmonton, Drumheller, Lethbridge and Olds for a spot on the provincial team and the chance to represent Alberta at the 2016 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Corner Brook, Nfld.
Philip’s mother Sandra, manager of the Crowsnest Pass Special Olympic Team, says her son is competitive and looking to win.
Philip says the Special Olympics have allowed him to “travel to other countries, see friends and race against them.”
In 2011, Philip won three medals, including gold, skiing for team Alberta at the Canadian National Games. He also represented Canada at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in South Korea.
He has plans to compete in the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
This will be Bramer’s first time competing at the Special Olympics. He’s been working hard to improve his skiing ability by training with coaches at the Pass Powder Keg and Castle Mountain.
“I just want to enjoy the ride and see how things go, win or lose,” says Bramer.
Both competitors work at Mountain View Industries in Coleman.
Philip and Bramer are Pass residents. Birch hails from Lethbridge.
The games run from Feb. 20 to 22 and will feature seven winter sports including curling, alpine skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and speed skating.
Special Olympics Alberta offers sports programs for almost 3,000 athletes in over 100 communities around the province for citizens with disabilities.
Sandra would like to thank council, Teck, the Crowsnest Pass Agricultural Society, the municipality and the Kananaskis Pro Rodeo Association for supporting the team.
She says the organization is looking for volunteers to field a Bocce team in the spring.