A skier from West Kelowna has been named the Special Olympics Canada’s 2022 Athlete of the Year.
West Kelowna resident Francis Stanley is also the Special Olympics BC 2022 Athletic Achievement Award winner.
Stanley has been part of the Special Olympics for 13 years, participating in cross country skiing, athletics and soccer. He has won multiple gold medals in cross country skiing at both the national and international levels, and is a member of Special Olympics Team Canada 2022.
“I would like to thank my coaches Garth, Ray, Les, Adam, and my mom Annabel who helped me choose a healthy lifestyle and to be a mentor to other skiers,” Stanley said in his acceptance speech during the 2022 SOC National Awards Night on November 1.
The Special Olympics Canada National Awards annually recognize the outstanding athletes, coaches, and volunteers from across the country who exemplify the spirit and essence of our movement.
Annabel and Francis are members of Telemark Nordic club, which has one of the largest Special Olympics programs in BC.
