Buoyed by a four-medal performance at the B.C. Special Olympics Summer Games, Kelsey Simpson has set her sights on one day competing at the highest level.
B次元官网网址淚 would really like to compete in the world Special Olympics one day,B次元官网网址� said the Metchosin resident who grew up in Colwood.
Her performance at the games, which took place July 6 to 8 in Kamloops, was a big step in that direction, putting her in position to try to qualify for the Canada Games next year.
Simpson, 27, earned a gold in the 50 metre backstroke, a silver in the 100 m backstroke, and bronze medals in the 100 m free and 100 m breaststroke.
B次元官网网址淚 was very surprised to win four medals,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淏ut I trained really hard, so itB次元官网网址檚 a nice reward for all the hard work. I had a lot of fun and made some new friends, and SusanB次元官网网址檚 a great coach,B次元官网网址� she said in reference to Susan Simmons, her swim coach for the past five years.
B次元官网网址淚 hope to go back to the Summer Games on the way to the Olympics,B次元官网网址� said Simpson, who trains three times a week and attends Special Olympics practices once a week from October to February with that in mind.
Sports have been a passion for her from a young age.
She has competed in a wide variety since she was nine, including gymnastics, curling, baseball, bowling and golf. When sheB次元官网网址檚 not in the pool, she works at Old Navy and in the library at Pacific Christian School, where she graduated in 2008.
B次元官网网址淚 like to read,B次元官网网址� she noted. B次元官网网址淚 enjoy the work and being around the kids.B次元官网网址�
Gardening is a favourite hobby for Simpson, who also volunteers as a spokesperson for Special Olympics. She has made presentations to the RCMP, the Running Room and at the annual Special Olympics Gala encouraging people to get involved and support the progam.
Her mother, Sylvia, said Special Olympics has had a huge impact on her daughterB次元官网网址檚 life. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 given her the chance to play the sports she loves and do things she may not have had the opportunity to do otherwise,B次元官网网址� she explained.
Simmons, head coach of the Victoria Special Olympics Swim Club, said the B.C. Games experience has boosted SimpsonB次元官网网址檚 confidence in ways that extend far beyond the pool.
One way thatB次元官网网址檚 evident is that Simpson has approached her privately to work on her stroke, which is something she would not have done before, Simmons explained.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 increased her confidence in herself in so many ways,B次元官网网址� Simmons said. B次元官网网址淚t was a huge competition with several hundred swimmers, and it was KelseyB次元官网网址檚 first extended time away from her home and her family, which was quite a challenge for her. IB次元官网网址檓 very proud of her for sticking that out, taking the initiative and being independent. All of the things she experienced outside of swimming are so valuable and go beyond sports. ItB次元官网网址檚 a huge boost to her confidence and IB次元官网网址檓 just so proud of her.B次元官网网址�
In all, 10 athletes from the Victoria area brought home 25 medals in swimming from the B.C. Summer Games. B次元官网网址淚t was a spectacular performance by our club,B次元官网网址� Simmons said.
B次元官网网址淚 believe it was more medals than any other club.B次元官网网址�
