The Paris Independent
16
February 10, 2024
S P O RT S Local snowshoer headed to Special Olympics National Winter Games in Calgary this month By Casandra Turnbull As the Special Olympic National Winter Games unfold in Calgary later this month, there will be a lot of supporters here in Paris watching as Richard Ward competes in the sport he loves (just one of many!).
channelled into some big accomplishments including a gold medal in Huntsville at Provincials, which qualified him for the Nationals. He heads to Calgary from February 26 to March 2 to compete in several snowshoeing events – the 100, 200, 400, 800 and relay events.
life. It was Lisa who encouraged Richard to check out Special Olympic sporting and that encouragement ignited a passion, one that Lisa feels was inherited from her parents who were both very athletic.
You can call Richard, who has ties to Paris, including family, a Special Olympic star! He’s certainly no stranger to the pressures of competing on the provincial and national level and he’s very familiar with a podium. In fact, in 2022 Richard was set to represent Team Canada at the Special Olympics World Winter Games but the games were delayed a year and eventually cancelled in 2023 because of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
As for his successes so far, Lisa “Richard has worked so hard to qualify commented during a 2022 Paris and he can’t wait to compete to Independent interview, “There were so hopefully be on the podium,” said his many coaches along the way. sister, Lisa Merner-Ward. “He loves Wonderful Special Olympic coaches the chance to make new friends and that have done so much for Richard have fun. We are so very proud of him over the years. We are so thankful to and can’t wait to attend the Games the volunteers, OPP and Community with him to cheer him on,” said Lisa, Living – all these people have helped, who always attends Richard’s and Richard couldn’t have done it competitions, along with their brother without them.” Mark Ward. Watch for more updates next month as The three siblings share a close bond. we report on Richard’s success! You After losing both their parents, Keith Richard put a lot of hard work and can follow the latest news coming and Anita Ward at a young age, the training in preparation of his world from the Games online here. Wards took on the responsibility of stage debut, and all that effort was ensuring Richard had a good, fulfilling Pictured far left is Richard in action at Nationals in Thunder Bay a few years ago where he qualified for the World Special Olympics in Russia (which were eventually cancelled) as a member of Team Canada. To the immediate left, Richard with his gold medal on the podium at Provincials in Sault Ste Marie a few years ago. Richard is off to Nationals in Calgary later this month to compete in several snowshoeing events. -Submitted photos
