Andrew Johnston

How long have you been involved with Special Olympics?

I have been a Special Olympics athlete since 2006.

How did you first get involved with Special Olympics and how has it changed your life?

My cousin first joined Special Olympics, and he asked me if I wanted to join it. I wanted to try a new sport, so I agreed. Since joining, I have made many new friends, who I enjoy seeing at the various sports that I participate in.

What is a challenge or barrier that you have overcome?

When I was younger, I was in a Special Education class, so I didn't have many opportunities to interact with many people. Joining Special Olympics helped me make new friends, which helped me start interacting with others. When I was in High School, I had many friends, and even now at work I have many friends among my coworkers, and I enjoy interacting with them and even socializing with them outside of work.

What has been your favourite memory with Special Olympics?

I have made many good memories with Special Olympics. I remember during a competition in Huntsville, I pictured songs in my head to motivate me during a 1600 metre race. During the last 200 metres, I was picturing the song Fix You by Coldplay, and I just sprinted the last 200 metres. Somehow I just knew that I wouldn't let anyone else get past me. Even my Mom said she thought for sure that I wouldn't be able to keep the sprint up, and I surprised everyone. I was very proud of that race! Another time, I ran the 10 KM, and Mom said I was like the Energizer Bunny because I just kept going around the track.

What has participating in Special Olympics taught you?

I have learned to not give up. I have never made it to a World Games before, and I have always wanted to go. I remember going to Thunder Bay, and looking at the statue of Terry Fox, and thinking about how he never gave up, and how I wouldn't give up either. It definitely helped me, because I made it to the World Games! It has also helped me in life as well. At work, whenever I get feedback, I just incorporate it into my job, and use it to make my work better. It must have worked, because I now have a great job with great coworkers.

What does being part of Special Olympics Team Canada mean to you and what is your goal for Turin?

I am so grateful for the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Games! I hope to try my best, represent Canada to the best of my ability and make the country proud, and maybe even win a medal! I am definitely planning on enjoying the experience!

What do you want people to know about athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities?

I want people to know that we can do anything anyone else can do, even things that are hard. We just do them a different way. When I was in High School, I was on the school's track team. The coach had me do a 5K, but he didn't think I could do it. He went to a different part of the track, but partway through what he was doing, he asked where I was. He realized that I was still doing the 5K. He told me that I didn't need to keep doing it at that point. Definitely, he was surprised that I could actually do a 5KM run, and even now, people are surprised that I am able to run 5K, since a lot of people cannot run that far. What people need to know is that we can do the same things as everyone else, even things that are hard.

What would you say to someone thinking of getting involved in Special Olympics?

Definitely do it! There are so many good reasons to join Special Olympics, whether you are interested in competition, or just learning a new sport or making some new friends. There are many different sports, so there is likely something for everyone!