Cory Duhaime

How long have you been involved with Special Olympics?

I have been a Special Olympics athlete for close to 20 years.

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

I tried skiing for the very first time at Beach Grove Elementary and I really liked it. My mum found out about the skiing program with Special Olympics in Delta so I joined and found out I was pretty good at it too. It's allowed me to meet so many great people, like coaches and other athletes, and to travel for training and competition.

What is a challenge or barrier that you have overcome?

Learning in a group setting, especially outside in cold weather, was difficult. Sometimes it was so windy I couldn't hear the coach speak. I learned to ask questions and to listen carefully to what my coaches say.

What has been your favourite memory with Special Olympics?

The first time I qualified for Team Canada was just amazing, but so is the second time!

What has participating in Special Olympics taught you?

Working with coaches helps me learn, working together with teammates makes it fun.

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

It makes me very proud, and I feel very lucky, to be given the chance to ski for Canada. My goal for Turin is to be 100% ready to ski my best races ever when I step into the starting gate.

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

Give us a chance, we can do anything you can do.

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

Come check us out, we don't bite! In fact, we are very friendly and welcome anyone, guaranteed you'll have a good time and hey you never know, you could one day be on Team Canada too!