Special Olympians reflect on silver-medal win
Ryan Blinn, Adam Guthrie and Ron Cambridge know there’s no shame in being second best – especially when you are second in the world.
The local athletes and their coach, members of the Canada’s floor hockey team, won silver at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Austria from March 14 to 25, after losing 5-3 to Hungary in the championship game.
That nail-biting final game could have went either way, Guthrie mused as the trio reflected on representing their country, along with 105 other Canadians, on the world stage. The players had similar views of the experience.
“It was an awesome honour,” said Blinn, 43.
“And to go home with a medal ... it’s awesome,” added Guthrie, 38.
The coach’s message to his players following the final was simple. He reminded them to keep their heads held high because they are all leaders in their respective communities. “We went away saying ‘We were there.’”
He smiled as he described the achievement of his players, who he called great ambassadors for the sport and for Special Olympics in general.
“They played excellent,” said Cambridge, who was also quick to praise the game’s host country for the experience they provided Special Olympians, who were also able to take in plenty of local arts, entertainment and culture. “It was really well done.”
Guthrie, who won a silver medal in the 3000 metre and bronze in the 5000 m running events in China, praised Austria’s beautiful, historic architecture, its great schnitzel and even its weather, which co-operated throughout the games.
Blinn, who has been playing floor hockey for 26 years and has won gold and silver at nationals, pointed out how he was able to meet so many people and experience so many different languages. “It was interesting.”
The men, who both play for the Peterborough Wolves floor hockey team, said the experience has motivated them to train even harder for next time, which will begin with regional qualifiers that will begin next year.
The next time around, they will know more of what to expect – wisdom they will also be able to share with their new teammates. Team speed and passing are a couple of areas the men agreed players can work to improve.
“We’ve learned a lot,” Guthrie said.
Cambridge praised the support the team received, with some 185 parents and family members on hand to cheer on the red and white.
“We were well-noticed in the stands. We were loud and proud,” he said, adding how that support began and has gained momentum since the team qualified at regionals four years ago. “It’s an honour. It really is. We’re privileged to be able to experience that.”
The Guelph Bun Masters team won the Ontario championship and invited Blinn, Guthrie and Cambridge to join their team at nationals last year in Corner Brook, N.L. They won gold there qualifying them to represent Canada at the worlds.
The team was also well-supplied in all facets. “Canada really put in a lot of support ... to allow the athletes to be top notch.”
The provincial Special Olympics flag, which is currently touring Ontario thanks to the Knights of Columbus, will be in the city next week. A flag-raising ceremony will take place at City Hall starting at 10 a.m. Monday with dignitaries including the mayor in attendance, Cambridge said.