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Champion skater Meg Ohsada wins gold, Special Olympics Alberta starts road back to normal

"Starting in the fall, this will be the first normal cycle we've had in quite a few years. We're basically just prepping all the communities to get ready, lots of communities are still bringing their sports back, so that's where we are right now, we're just trying to support everybody to make sure they have like their everything they need to start their sports programs up and then doing the cycle."

CANMORE – Competition has been scarce recently, but Special Olympian Meg Ohsada's champion spirit is burning brighter than ever.

The 27-year-old figure skater from Canmore won gold in Level 3 Special Olympics at the STARSkate and Adult Championships in Calgary from March 18-20 – likely her only chance to compete in 2022.

“I’m very happy,” said Meg.

Waiting a day for judges results to trickle in, Noriko Ohsada, Meg’s mother, said her daughter was on pins and needles.

"That was the biggest competition of the year for the special Olympians," said Noriko. "I didn’t know Meg cared that much; I was very surprised. I thought she was just happy to be there and skate, but she cared how she did and what colour of medal she got."

Meg is a national champion in figure skater living with Down Syndrome. She's won medals internationally, starred in a Powerade sports drink commercial, and her picture was featured on a Times Square billboard in New York by the National Down Syndrome Society.

With COVID-19, Meg's only skated in two competitions since March 2020. Another setback hit when the Special Olympics World Winter Games, set to take place in January 2023 in Kazan, Russia, was cancelled.

Organizers called off the Games due to safety concerns amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a statement said.

“Persons with an intellectual disability are suffering disproportionately, unfairly, and tragically in this war, as they have during the pandemic. We join our voices to millions around the world demanding peace and an end to violence immediately,” added the statement.

“It’s disappointing, but everyone understands it’s a good decision,” said Noriko.

Domestically, however, with the easing of restrictions, the road to normal is becoming clearer and getting back on track.

On April 1, Special Olympics Alberta (SOA) lifted all COVID-19 restrictions for its spring and summer programming.

SOA will slowly ramp up competitions in the next few months for selections for next year's World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany.

The next large winter sporting event is the Winter Provincial Games in February 2023 in Strathcona County.

"Starting in the fall, this will be the first normal cycle we've had in quite a few years," said Courtney Roy, SOA Director of Sport Development. "We're basically just prepping all the communities to get ready, lots of communities are still bringing their sports back, so that's where we are right now. We're just trying to support everybody to make sure they have like their everything they need to start their sports programs up and then doing the cycle."

Despite time off during the height of the pandemic, Meg has kept her skills polished for the ice through dance, gymnastics, yoga, and is picking up with on-ice training again.

She's been working on a new routine for when things are back to normal.

"It's amazing how strong she is right now," said Noriko.

More results from Canmore Skating Club skaters at the STARSkate championships included Joyce Lau finishing with silver in Star 8 and 11th in Gold Artistic. Olive Schmaltz placed sixth in Gold Artistic.

Lily Burden was 11th in Star 5; and Madison Faupel was eighth in Star 4.

In the adult categories, Valerie Laferriere finished second in Silver Adult Artistic and fourth in Silver Adult Freeskate, and Lori Louis-Thompson took second place in Silver Adult Freestake.


Jordan Small

About the Author: Jordan Small

An award-winning reporter, Jordan Small has covered sports, the arts, and news in the Bow Valley since 2014. Originally from Barrie, Ont., Jordan has lived in Alberta since 2013.
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