HILLSBURGH – Two native Particular Olympics athletes are representing Staff Canada within the 2023 World Video games in Berlin, Germany: Jennifer Allen from Hillsburgh and Marc Richardson from Guelph.
This yr 89 athletes from throughout Canada are competing in Berlin, so it’s an enormous deal to have two from Guelph and Wellington County, famous Particular Olympics neighborhood coordinator Lori Savage.
Allen can be taking part in on the Canadian girls’s basketball workforce and Richardson can be competing in 10 pin bowling.
They’re in Germany now, exploring Munich – Staff Canada’s host city.
The televised video games start on June 17 and final 9 days.
Marc Richardson
Richardson has been a Particular Olympic athlete for 18 years, and it has been his “lifelong dream to signify Staff Canada” within the World Video games, he informed the Advertiser in an interview on the bowling alley.
“It’s an honour.”
His favorite factor concerning the Particular Olympics is attending to “compete with folks with the identical skills” – and never being “made enjoyable of for those who do it flawed.”
Since he started coaching for the World Video games in September, he has walked 903 kilometers, Savage stated.
“Marc’s dedication to coaching has been superb to look at,” she added.
MARC RICHARDSON (Submitted picture)
Richardson stated that was by strolling for one hour a day – for 9 months.
This can be his first time leaving Canada, and he’s trying ahead to “viewing the good nation” of Germany and “assembly different folks from different international locations.”
He additionally loves how competing within the Particular Olympics permits him to hang around with enjoyable folks and journey throughout Canada.
In 2019, Richardson represented Ontario within the Nationwide Video games in Prince Edward Island.
Richardson’s “favorite factor about bowling is when the ball hits these pins on the finish of the ally and also you hear the pins fall.”
Bowling has introduced Richardson and his brothers Matt and Greg nearer collectively this yr, as they bowl collectively as soon as each two weeks, alongside together with his nephew Desmond.
Jennifer Allen
Allen has been competing within the Particular Olympics for over 22 years, and she or he competed in 10 pin bowling within the World Video games in Abu Dhabi in 2019.
Allen stated she was not anticipating an opportunity to compete within the Particular Olympics World Video games for a second time, in a unique sport.
Allen is trying ahead to “assembly new buddies” and spending time together with her teammates and coaches in Germany.
Whereas taking part in basketball Allen enjoys “listening to the cheering” and encouragement from her teammates, particularly after they say “let’s go Jen!” or “you’ve received this!”
She performs all positions and particularly enjoys taking pictures lay-ups and “working down the courtroom,” although she is cautious to tempo herself so she nonetheless has vitality within the fourth quarter.