When Ray Huson heads to Austria for the World Winter Games, he will have coached with Special Olympics at every level.
Huson coaches Team B.C. cross country skier will represent Special Olympics Team Canada at the World Winter Games from March 14 to 25.
Huson said getting this opportunity is amazing.
鈥泪迟鈥檚 incredibly exciting. 滨鈥檝别 really been looking forward to 颈迟,鈥� said Huson, who works at the Barley Mill Brew Pub. 鈥淲别鈥檝别 been training since we found out about the team selection last March or April. Everybody is working really hard at getting the team ready to go to 础耻蝉迟谤颈补.鈥�
Huson joins a B.C. crew that includes 15 athletes, eight coaches, and one mission staff member. Canada will be represented by 108 athletes with intellectual disabilities, plus 35 volunteer mission staff and coaches. The World Winter Games is considered one of the 飞辞谤濒诲鈥檚 largest sporting and humanitarian events and brings together 3,000 athletes and 1,100 coaches from as many as 110 countries.
鈥淥耻谤 Team Canada athletes, coaches, and mission staff are well prepared for this 测别补谤鈥檚 World Winter 骋补尘别蝉,鈥� said Marian Coulson, Chef de Mission for Special Olympics Team Canada. 鈥淭丑别 passion and skill level of our team is unmatched; we expect great results at these Games and, as always, a lasting impact on communities across the 肠辞耻苍迟谤测.鈥�
Huson, who has coached at three National Winter Games (2008 in Quebec City, 2012 in St. Albert, Alta., and 2016 in New Foundland), said working with the athletes is fabulous.
鈥淭丑别y amaze me all the time when 滨鈥檓 out with 迟丑别尘,鈥� he said. 鈥淭丑别 dedication and commitment, how much fun they like to have. How excited they get. It really is 补尘补锄颈苍驳.鈥�
He has become a better coach from each event and learns more from each Games. Huson, who has helped athletes win countless medals, said he is always trying to improve his skills and pick up pointers from other coaches. 滨迟鈥檚 about improving himself to help the athletes get better.
鈥湵踱�檓 really looking forward to seeing our athletes compete against the best athletes from other 肠辞耻苍迟谤颈别蝉,鈥� he said.
鈥泪 am very proud to be involved in Special Olympics Canada as Honorary 颁辞补肠丑,鈥� says Olympic and world champion figure skater Jamie 厂补濒茅, who will accompany the athletes to Austria. 鈥泪t is incredible to witness the role of sport in empowering individuals and transforming lives. We encourage all Canadians to rally behind our Special Olympics athletes for these games and to support local programs throughout the 测别补谤.鈥�
鈥淲别 are very proud of our Team Canada athletes, staff and 肠辞补肠丑别蝉,鈥� says Sharon Bollenbach, CEO, Special Olympics Canada. 鈥淥耻谤 programs reach far beyond just competitions and world class athletes, taking us into communities across the country, enriching the daily lives of over 42,000 Canadians with an intellectual disability (ID), through the transformative power of 蝉辫辞谤迟.鈥� Learn more at www.austria2017.org
