Kitimat swimmers Colton Cale and Logan Eastman came back carrying gold from the Special Olympics Summer Games held in Kamloops from July 6 to 9.
Cale won gold medals in the 50 metre freestyle, 50 metre backstroke (Division M3) and 25 metre breaststroke events, and Eastman won gold in the 50 metre backstroke (Division M4.
Cale, who has been swimming since 2010, is no stranger to winning medals – he won three medals in the 2012 Special Olympics. Originally from Prince George, his family moving to Kitimat in 2017, will be in Grade 12 when school reopens.
“I was in gymnastics, but I nearly broke my back, so I went into swimming instead,” said Cale.
He comes down to the pool three times a week to practice, once with the team coach John Readman.
“The secret to my success is to keep on practising. I would definitely recommend people get into swimming,” said Cale.
He said he will carry on swimming when he goes to study – he has his heart set on becoming a cook one day. Logan said the experience of competing in the Special Olympics is very invigorating and a whole lot of fun.
“I initially got into swimming because I needed some exercise. Now I really enjoy the camaraderie,” said Logan.
He’s also no stranger to the medal count – he won a medal at the 2013 Special Olympics as well.
He practices once a week with the coach, swimming five laps for each of the strokes he competes in.
Logan, who’s only been swimming competitively for the last five years, said he also intends continuing to swim when he starts studying.
