For Surrey’s Hillary Birkett, Special Olympics is a place where she finds lasting friendships with fellow athletes within an inclusive and empowering community.
“The Special Olympics athletes are like family. When we compete, we cheer for each other. We celebrate when our fellow athletes win, and we support each other when someone does not win. We are all part of a large team,” she says.
This determined athlete is currently working hard to compete with pride in speed skating at the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games! Birkett joins 148 other athletes from across the province on the Special Olympics BC 2024 Training Squad. They are all training hard to compete on the national stage.
Birkett has been involved with Special Olympics BC for more than nine years, and currently participates in athletics, figure skating, and speed skating.
She raced her way to three gold medals and two silver medals in speed skating at the 2023 SOBC Winter Games presented by Prospera Credit Union. Those Provincial Games were the qualifier for berths on Special Olympics Team BC 2024.
With ice sports being her lifelong passion, Birkett is excited to carry the momentum of her achievements to her first-ever National Games.
“At National Games, I hope to set new personal best numbers and represent my local region and my province, the best I can,” she says. “I hope I will make new friendships and bring home medals for my Local.”
Read more about Birkett in her #SOTeamBC2024 profile