From First Steps to the World Stage: Figure Skater Brooke Thomas’s Journey to Turin

When Brooke Thomas was younger, she wanted to do everything her big sister did. So when her sister took up figure skating, Brooke laced up a pair of skates, too. Though her sister eventually stepped away from the sport, Brooke kept going, keeping up the passion for both of them.

Now, 15 years after first stepping onto the ice with Special Olympics, Brooke is about to take her biggest leap yet: representing Special Olympics Team Canada at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

Brooke’s road to the world stage hasn’t been easy. Born with cerebral palsy, she struggled with balance in her early years. Learning to skate was an uphill battle—it took her a full year just to be able to stand on the ice. But she refused to give up. Through persistence, training, and the encouragement of her coaches and teammates, she grew from finding her footing on the ice to gliding with confidence as a competitor.

Beyond figure skating, Brooke also competes in athletics and swimming, but there’s no question about her favourite sport. Skating is where her heart is. It’s where she has built some of her proudest memories—including meeting Olympic champion Scott Moir at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay in 2020.

When Brooke first joined Special Olympics at eight years old, she set her sights high. She dreamed of one day competing at the World Games, and now, in 2025, that dream is becoming a reality.

“Being a part of Special Olympics Team Canada means everything because when you join Special Olympics, this is the ultimate goal—to go to Worlds,” she says. “And now I can officially say that I achieved it.”

Her goal for Turin? To do her best, enjoy every moment, and soak in the experience of competing alongside the best Special Olympics athletes from around the world.

Beyond her talent on the ice, Brooke brings warmth and encouragement wherever she goes. As one of the most polite members of the team—because, as she puts it, "we are Canadian!"—she embodies kindness in every interaction. Whether with teammates, coaches, or staff, she is always appreciative, thoughtful, and quick to express gratitude when receiving assistance.

She plays a vital role in shaping the spirit of Team Canada. She has an incredible ability to pick up on emotional cues from her teammates, always offering a smile, a kind word, or a fresh perspective to lift them up. Whether someone is nervous, frustrated, or just having a tough day, Brooke is there with encouragement.

Her positivity isn’t just contagious—it’s foundational to the team dynamic. Teammates rely on her to keep morale high, and she naturally steps into the role of making sure everyone feels supported. Coaches also appreciate her presence—not just for her hard work, but because she’s always looking for ways to help. Whether it’s assisting with a task or simply showing gratitude when she receives guidance, Brooke embodies what it means to be a true team player.

She hopes her journey serves as an example of what athletes of all abilities can achieve when given the opportunity.

“I want people to know that we can do the same things that they can, and we want to be treated like everybody else,” she says.

And for anyone thinking about getting involved in Special Olympics? Brooke has just two words: “Do it!!”

As she takes to the ice in Turin, Brooke won’t just be skating for medals—she’ll be skating for every athlete who dares to dream, for the friendships she’s built, and for the little girl who once spent a full year learning to stand up on the ice. Because now, she’s standing tall on the world stage.

Watch Special Olympics Canada's "Joy is Gold" campaign featuring Brooke and her teammates: