Special Olympics team brings home medals

He was part of Team Nova Scotia, which has 56 members.

“These games may have been one of the most successful events in our history,” said Events and Communications Director, Anne Marie Shannon. “Not only did our athletes show their skills on their competitive field, they persevered through loss, rose up when they felt they had nothing left and represented our province with ethics and sportsmanship.”

Head coach Betty Ann Daury with the Queens Association for Supported Living traveled with Shankel to Quebec.

She said they arrived Feb. 25 at 4:30 a.m.

Athletes were able to tour old Quebec City, shop and enjoy toboggan rides later that day.

The opening ceremonies took place Feb. 26 at the Plains of Abraham.

“Athletes and coaches were given an illuminated fleur-de-lys to wear,” said Daury, which is a decorated Iris or Lily flower.

Shankel competed in the 100 metre snowshoeing finals winning a gold medal along with two other team Nova Scotia members.

Later that day he competed in divisioning for 200 metre and 800 metre snowshoeing placing first and third.

Shankel completed the 400 metre snowshoeing event on Feb. 29 placing third.

4 x100 relays took place in the afternoon.

Daury said the Team Nova Scotia girls placed second in division one with the boys placing eighth in division one.

Daury noted the Nova Scotia curling team placed third in the “A” division despite the loss of their coach John Cody.