Tracey Zwiers

How long have you been involved with Special Olympics?

I started volunteering with Special Olympics in the Fall of 2005.

How did you first get involved?

I started coaching Special Olympics in our local skating club, along with another coach. I loved it right from the start. The skaters were so passionate and loved to learn new things. I remained a training coach for several years, but when one of my skaters called me from Korea saying she won a medal, I was so thrilled for her, but yet disappointed I wasn't there to cheer her on. That was the motivation I needed to expand my horizons and become more involved with Special Olympics.

How has Special Olympics impacted your life?

Special Olympics has impacted my life in a very positive way, and I can't imagine being a coach without being a part of Special Olympics. I look forward to seeing my athletes at the rink, to challenging them, and all along challenging me to be a better coach. I love the energy that Special Olympics bring to my life, and the opportunity it provides to include athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience the joy of sport.

What is your favourite part about your role on Special Olympics Team Canada 2025?

My favourite part about being a coach for Special Olympics Team Canada is the people we meet, the athletes we inspire and the leadership roles we learn from. Every day is a learning experience, and I love working with other coaches to help our athletes succeed.

What has been your proudest moment with Special Olympics?

I have two moments that are very special to me. The first one is when one of my athletes called me from Korea to say she had won a medal at Special Olympics World Games. I was so proud of her and all her accomplishments that it pushed me to get more involved in the movement. My second proudest moment was walking into the Opening Ceremony in Austria as part of Special Olympics Team Canada at the World Winter Games in 2017. It was pouring rain, but it didn't matter. All my hard work and dedication as a coach had paid off. It was truly an honour to be recognized as part of the national team along with all the athletes that had trained so hard under our guidance.

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

I am truly honoured to be a part of Team Canada headed to Turin. As a coach, it is very rewarding to watch your athletes train hard over the past 3 years to get an opportunity to compete on the World stage. As head coach, I am very excited to lead and guide our figure skaters through the next few months and help them achieve their personal goals. My goal is to have fun, learn from the other athletes and coaches, to make new friends, and to challenge our team to be the best they can be.

What unique skills or experiences do you bring to the team and what drives you?

As head coach I like to be organized and have a plan that will help our assistant coaches and athletes know what is happening, and what the next steps are. I feel communication is key to our teams success. What drives me to support and inspire our athletes, is the passion I have for Special Olympics, the knowledge I have of figure skating and the commitment I have for each athlete to achieve their attainable goals.

What would you say to someone thinking of volunteering with Special Olympics?

Go For it!!! You will LOVE it!! I learn something new each time I am working with an athlete, a coach or leadership. It’s truly an eye opening experience that will keep you coming back!