Great Strides
Catherine Partlow shows us what it means to be an Olympian in both strength and spirit
Catherine Partlow: The Definition of An Olympian
Catherine Partlow is one of Canada’s most decorated track athletes. She also happens to have a condition known as global developmental delay. As a young child, Partlow didn’t speak very often; her mind wasn’t ready. At the age of eight, she had difficulty mustering the strength and coordination to open a car door. These skills developed slowly for Partlow compared to other children her age. Now 35, the native of Whitby, Ont., has competed in four Special Olympics World Games and brought home six gold medals, proving she is anything but slow. Partlow’s most recent World gold medals came at the Los Angeles Games in 2015, where she won the 100m and 200m races, and anchored Canada’s winning 4x400m relay team. What makes Partlow one the best in the world? Ask her, and the answer is clear: “I’m dedicated to practice and I show up even on days when I don’t feel great.” In addition to her part-time job at jysk, Partlow takes part in group track practices three days a week and works out twice a week at the Abilities Centre in Whitby. Her commitment level to the sport is equal to her love of it. “When I’m on the track doing the 200, it feels like I’m f lying around the corner,” says Partlow. Her coach of 17 years, Clive Foster, says Partlow’s greatest strengths are her willingness to listen and her determination. “She listens attentively. Once you introduce anything new, she listens and she will try,” says Foster. “The thing about her is she will persevere and practice until she gets it right.” Partlow’s character and physical ability has brought her to places she never imagined, both in terms of times on the track – where she holds a personal best of 1:05 for the 400m – and the places she’s travelled.
“I’ve been to so many countries that most people would never have thought of going to,” says Partlow. “My first (Special Olympics) World Games was in Dublin, my second one was in Shanghai, my third was in Athens and my fourth one was in Los Angeles.”
Catherine’s mother, Theresa Partlow, says the Special Olympics has been life-changing for her daughter, whose determined spirit became evident at an early age.
“[Back when] she couldn’t open a car door, she would keep on trying – she never gave up,” she says. “Whatever it was, she would always try.”
As a youngster, Partlow took part in a number of sports, including speed skating and swimming before finding her passion for the track. From there she flourished as she began focusing on becoming the best runner she could be.
With the support of Special Olympics Ontario and Special Olympics Canada, Theresa has watched her daughter grow over the years as an athlete. While off the track, she’s witnessed her daughter’s transformation from a shy girl to a confident woman.
“It’s really been life-changing for Catherine. It’s given her a focus,” her mother says. “Special Olympics really has changed her life.”
Tara Campbell is a Canadian writer and runner living in Omaha Neb.