Harry Burns

How long have you been involved with Special Olympics?

I have been a Special Olympics athlete for 2 years.

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

I was in the movie Champions in 2023 with Special Olympics and a coach asked if I would like to join basketball. I said that I actually like running full marathons. The coach then asked me if I would like to join snowshoeing, which I was not sure about. Later on I actually joined snowshoeing and learned that it was a lot of fun running! A month later, I joined track and field and it is also a lot of fun.

What is a challenge or barrier that you have overcome?

Deciding if I would be willing to go away from home to compete in National or World Games because of work and the possibility of my boss saying no to my taking 2 weeks off. Where I work can be busy and they urgently need help. I talked to my dad about it and he told me that everybody needs time off work and if the bosses say no, I can look for a different job. Thankfully my bosses said it was fine.

What has been your favourite memory with Special Olympics?

My favourite memory with Special Olympics is running with another Special Olympics athlete that also like to run marathons and will never stop running.

What has participating in Special Olympics taught you?

To treat everybody the way a Special Olympics coach would treat me since the coaches are friendly and nice. It does not matter who someone is, everybody deserves respect.

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

My goal for Turin is to simply get a personal best time.

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

Everybody deserves to follow their passions and be happy just like everybody else.

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

Just do it, face your fears, and you will love it. Everybody is friendly.