As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics this year, we are taking a look back at the #50moments that have defined the Special Olympics movement here in B.C. and throughout the world.
First is a word Special Olympics BC – Kelowna athlete Tracey Melesko is used to hearing.
As one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of SOBC, Melesko has her fair share of gold medals. For almost three decades now, she has been racking up wins in both summer and winter sports at the Local, Provincial, National, and International stage. Her most recent trip to the 2017 Special Olympics Winter Games saw the SOBC – Kelowna cross county skier bring home two gold medals and a bronze.
But her firsts aren't just limited to her results while competing.
Melesko was the first athlete to be inducted into the Special Olympics BC Hall of Fame in 2000. Her journey to the Hall started when Melesko competed in track and field in the 1990, 1994 and 1998 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relays, as well as in long jump. She earned gold medals in each of these National Games.
Melesko’s strong showing at the Nationals led to her first foray on the international level, where she competed at the 1991 and 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
That led to another first for Melesko. In recognition of her outstanding athletic ability, she was the first athlete with an intellectual disability to be carded by Sport Canada.
As one of the premier athletes with an intellectual disability in track and field, Melesko also represented Canada in the Paralympic Games in 1992, 1996 and 2000.
She was also chosen to represent Canada at the 1998 IPC World Athletic Championships in Birmingham, England, and the 1999 INAS-FMH World Championships in Seville, Spain.
Melesko is also the first-ever Special Olympics BC athlete to have been inducted into the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame this past June.
Meleseko continues to be actively involved in cross-country skiing and track and field with SOBC – Kelowna.