Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Special Olympics Canada is a national organization that’s dedicated to making lives better through sport. The program consists of more than 17,000 volunteers, including approximately 13,000 coaches. They’ve been working with children, youth and adults for over 40 years and have over 35,000 athletes registered in their Special Olympics year-round sport programs across this country.
Today I am pleased to recognize the outstanding achievements of a member of the Yellowknife Speed Skating Club and a constituent of mine, Ms. Cynthia Simmons. As a result of her strong performance in speed skating at the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Games in St. Albert, 14-year-old Cynthia Simmons was selected to participate at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, in early 2013. There were 141 athletes on the Special Olympics team selected from 87 communities across Canada.
I understand that Cynthia is a very determined athlete and she gave her heart and soul to preparing for the challenge of the games. All of her efforts and dedication paid off when she won her place on the podium twice during the Special Olympics. Cynthia received two silver medals for her performance at the games. She finished second in the 777-metre event on February 2nd, followed by winning another silver medal in the 333-metre event on February 4th. To add to her success, Cynthia placed fourth in the 500-metre event as well.
Cynthia co-hosted the welcoming event for Team Canada in Vancouver on the way to the Games and she was a gracious ambassador in South Korea for the Northwest Territories and for Canada.
The Special Olympics have an athlete’s oath. It is: Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. Cynthia, you have certainly lived up to your oath and have gone beyond your own expectations. You have made your family, your friends, your community and the Northwest Territories all very proud to have you represent us at these very honourable games. Thank you very much, Cynthia.
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