Meaford skier off to Special Olympics
By Scott Woodhouse Express Staff

Jamie, a fourteen-year-old alpine ski competitor from Meaford, has been involved with the Special Olympics for four years. He's won medals at regional competitions and excelled at all levels.

Now, he's ready for the bigtime!

The World Winter Games in Anchorage, Alaska from March 4 to 11 will be one of the largest sporting events of 2001. And competing at those games in Anchorage, Alaska, will be Meaford's Special Olympic athlete Jamie King.

Like any other grade nine student at Georgian Bay Secondary School, Jamie plays road hockey and Nintendo. When asked who his favorite athlete's are of all time, unequivocally, his answer is "Wayne Gretzky, Mats Sundin and Patrick Roy".

Jamie truly embodies the Canadian Special Olympic motto by which he lives "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt".

"Jamie was nicknamed 'The Bandit' by his doctor at Sick Children's Hospital in Toronto," says mother Christine King. "For even as a baby, his will, strength, and determination was obvious."

As a member of Team Canada, Jamie who has been skiing since he was six, will compete in Intermediate Alpine Division, which includes slalom, giant slalom, super G, and downhill.

"The downhill isn't his best race because he is so light," said Christine, adding that he's been really lucky to have a fantastic coach.

"His coach is Rudy Heigelsberger, an Austrian Gold Medalists, who coached Todd Brooker and Steve Podborski," she said.

Jamie skies regularly at Blue Mountain with and was in Calgary last March with Team Canada to train at the Olympic Park. He has been participating in the Special Olympics for four years and enjoys the friends he has made through Special Olympics.

As a Special Olympic athlete, he also competes in track and field, swimming and soccer and as a member of Team Canada, he exemplifies the true spirit of sport and through competing at the 2001 World Winter Games has the unique opportunity to share this spirit with all Canadians.

Jamie will join 98 other Canadian Special Olympic participants from all over the country; Team Canada is comprised of 72 athletes, 17 coaches and nine mission staff. The stellar Canadian team will be competing against 2,000 athletes from over 100 countries. Canadians who want to follow the results of Team Canada will be able to check the Canadian Special Olympic Foundation website daily for the (www.cso.on.ca) results of our team.

Canadian Special Olympics promotes sports, training and competition for people with mental disabilities.

"All of the athletes I've spoken to are energized and very excited about participating in the games," says Canadian Special Olympics President Jim Jordan.

"The 2001 World Winter Games are one of the largest sporting events of the year", said Lea Parrell Vice President of Development for Special Olympics in Canada. "These very special athletes deserve our recognition and support as they head to Alaska and we are extremely proud that these competitors will serve as Canada's ambassadors to the Games".

Each year, Special Olympic athletes in Canada compete in major competitions both nationally and internationally. These events are part of an elaborate competitive schedule that include local inter-club meets, sectional competitions and provincial games. All of the games are held in both winter and summer sports. National Games are scheduled so that they qualify athletes who will represent Canada at the World Games. Each remarkable athlete will have the chance to compete in this International event and represent themselves, their families, their hometown and Canada.

Canadian Special Olympics provides sports training and competitive opportunities for over 21,000 individuals with a mental disability in Canada. The Canadian Special Olympics Foundation was established to create an Endowment Fund to ensure the long term financial stability for Canadian Special Olympics; with a goal of fully funding the participation of Canadian athletes in Special Olympics National and International Games.

"To help finance these remarkable athletes several generous companies and organizations provide the essential funding and support needed to send Team Canada and our Special Olympic athletes to International competitions such as this", said Special Olympic Foundation Chair, Brian Etherington. "Many of these athletes and future athletes will be funded by the Foundations "20/20" campaign, a new program that allows small donations to make a big difference".

Jamie's trip to Alaska is possible thanks to the generous support of TSN. The Sports Network is sending Jamie and 10 other Canadian Special Olympians to the World Winter Games in Anchorage, Alaska. TSN will support the athletes' travel, accommodation, and equipment requirements for the Games.

TSN's association with Canadian Special Olympics dates back to the network's formative years. TSN traditionally broadcasts both the Summer and Winter Special Olympic Games. In addition, TSN televises the Sports Celebrities Festival Auction, a prime time fundraiser for Special Olympics. Hundreds of TSN staff have donated their time to ensure the success of this gala broadcast. TSN will air the Special Olympics World Winter Games in early May.