Thunder Bay, ON. - Western Newfoundlanders were well-represented on the podium at the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay, Ont. last week.
Snowshoer Philip Beales of Corner Brook, cross-country skier Michael Budden of Stephenville, and speed skater Brandon Park of McIvers picked up 10 medals in total for Team Newfoundland and Labrador, including four gold. Meanwhile, Nikki King, who hails from Corner Brook originally, picked up three medals for Team Alberta in snowshoeing.
Joshua Harper of Kippens, who had been planning to compete in snowshoeing, was unable to attend the games.
Team Newfoundland and Labrador did well as a whole, hauling home more than 40 medals in individual and team competitions.
The event was held Feb. 25-29.
Here are the results of athletes from western Newfoundland:
Team Newfoundland and Labrador
Philip Beales (Hometown: Corner Brook, N.L.)
- Snowshoeing — 200-metre race (M04 Division): gold medal
- Snowshoeing — 100-metre race (M4 Division): fifth place
Michael Budden (Hometown: Stephenville, N.L.)
- Cross-country skiing — 2.5-km race Freestyle (M2 Division) – gold medal
- Cross-country skiing — 7.5-km race Freestyle (M1 Division) – gold medal
- Cross-country skiing — 5-km race Freestyle (M2 Division) – bronze medal
- Cross-country skiing — 3 x 1-km relay Classic (M01 Division) – results unavailable
Brandon Park (Hometown: McIvers, N.L.)
Speed Skating — 500-metre race (Division 10) – gold medal
Speed Skating — 222-metre race (Division 5) – silver medal
Speed Skating — 333 race (Division 08) – silver medal
Team Alberta
Nikki King (Hometown: Corner Brook, N.L.)
Snowshoeing — 100-metre race (F2 Division) – silver medal
Snowshoeing — 200-metre race (F02 Division) – bronze medal
Snowshoeing — 400-metre race (F2 Division) – bronze medal
Snowshoeing — 800-metre race (F1 Division) – fourth place
Snowshoeing — 4x100-metre relay (M1 Division) – fourth place
Source: www.specialolympics.ca