A Grande Prairie teen has brought home more than just medals from the 2018 Special Olympics Summer Games in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She also brought home memories.
Swimmer Sarah Shinn says she enjoys competing at the games every year and that her favourite part about this year’s games was all the new friends she made.
“I like competing because it’s fun and I can meet new people.”
Shinn has been participating in the games for three years now and her father Kevin says he has seen a real change in his daughter since she started out.
“She’s more outgoing, she gets out and makes friends and she just has a lot of fun with it.”
Team Alberta sent 101 Athletes and 43 coaches to this year’s event from July 31st to August 4th where participants brought home 119 medals.
Shinn competed in five events at this year’s games and brought home three medals; a gold for the 50-metre freestyle, another gold for the 25-metre breaststroke and a silver for the 25-meter freestyle. Shinn’s mother Colleen couldn’t be happier about everything her daughter accomplished at the games.
“We’re very proud of her…Her goal going to Nova Scotia was that she wanted to win one medal and then she changed it and said she wanted to win one gold medal so she’s achieved more then she expected.”
In the next few weeks, Shinn could get called up to represent Team Canada at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi next March.