Solo skater Breanna Williams, 16, says she is “going for gold” next month in Turin, Italy. That is after earning a spot on Team Canada from competing in her first National event at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary last spring.
She will now compete in both a short and long skating program in hopes of an Olympic gold medal at the 12th Special Olympics World Games March 5-18.
At the Leamington Skating Club on February 6, Williams said she can hardly wait to go to Italy and represent Canada.
With a motto to always, “dream big – as anything is possible,” Williams has proven she has the determination, strength and skills needed to succeed at the Special Olympics level.
She is the only athlete from Windsor-Essex to qualify for the Special Olympics Team Canada and was all smiles while practising at the Nature Fresh Complex, Unico ice pad, with coach Laurie Horne-Klassen. They were continuing to sharpen her short program routine, which is to John Cougar Mellencamp’s ditty Jack and Diane.
Klassen said that Williams had to ramp up her training since earning a spot on Team Canada and had to change her skating program to comply with the World Games requirements. That meant she needed a short program as well as adding two jumps, another spin and more time to her long program.
Klassen says that has led to a busy six-days-a-week training schedule with four days on-ice training at several rinks around Windsor-Essex County and another two days alternating off-ice training such as Pilates and yoga, along with the ongoing Team Canada physical and mental fitness training for all athletes.
Breanna said having had the opportunity to participate in sports with Special Olympic athletes and coaches has given her self-discipline, helped her in learning teamwork – working with others, along with gaining mental toughness, handling fear and failure, and goal-setting skills.
Williams earned her spot on Team Canada after winning gold for her long program, skating to an Austin Powers theme at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary March, 2024. It was a qualifier and selection event for the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
Klassen said that several local clubs, including Leamington, have sponsored Williams in her dreams of becoming a Special Olympics gold medalist.
She is also supported by the John McGivney Children’s Centre (JMCC).
Jennifer Jovanovski, CEO of the JMCC, expressed her pride in Breanna’s accomplishments: “Breanna’s determination and passion for her sport are truly inspiring. Her success on the national stage highlights the importance of inclusive sports and the impact of organizations like Special Olympics Canada in empowering young athletes. We are incredibly proud of her achievement and look forward to seeing her represent Canada on the world stage.”
Special Olympics Team Canada will compete in five winter sports: short track speed skating, figure skating, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and snowshoeing.
