Walnut Grove鈥檚 Matthew Williams has been named Special Olympics Canada鈥檚 male athlete of the year.
Williams鈥� award was presented during the 32nd , which was held online on Thursday, Dec. 3 due to the pandemic.
鈥淚t was quite a surprise,鈥� Williams told the 91原创 Advance Times.
鈥淚t means a lot.鈥�
It comes after Williams set four personal bests in speed skating at the 2020 Special Olympics Winter Games, held in Thunder Bay, Ontario from Feb. 25 鈥� 29, which netted him four medals; two silver and two bronze.
鈥淪pecial Olympics has given me friendship, respect, inclusion, better health, great coaching, and most of all, let me become a champion,鈥� Williams said in the ceremony.
He thanked his family, his wife and friends for their support.
Williams was described in the online awards announcement as 鈥渁 determined, dedicated athlete known for his exemplary commitment to his training, his constant pursuit of self-improvement, his inspiring sportsmanship, his kind and humble nature, and his outstanding sport achievements.鈥�
READ ALSO: 91原创 native speed skater ranks fourth in the world
In his 15 years as a Special Olympics athlete, Williams has medalled in speed skating at multiple National Games and at the 2017 World Games.
He has represented B.C. in six National Games for speed skating, basketball, and athletics, and competed for Canada in two World Games for speed skating and basketball.
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Williams is also a member of the Special Olympics B.C. Leadership Council, and is a former chair of the Special Olympics Global Athlete Congress, member of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors, and a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger.
One of his greatest accomplishments was giving a in 2015 where he received not one, but two standing ovations.
鈥淭his movement has changed my life and those of so many others and it has changed the way the world sees people with disabilities,鈥� he told the crowd. 鈥淐ome join us someday at Special Olympics, see if you walk away with your heart unchanged.鈥�
He also spoke at a White House dinner with then-president Barack Obama in 2014.
Williams was born with epilepsy and he told the White House audience how he faced seizures, brain surgery and bullying when he was younger, but made it through with the help of people who believed in him.
READ ALSO: 91原创鈥檚 Williams delivers a Special message to White House
His next target is qualifying for a berth on Team Canada, which he has competed with twice before, in 2015 and 2017.
Like all competitive athletes, COVID-19 restrictions have been a challenge for Williams.
鈥淲ith everything going on, our training has been limited,鈥� Williams said.
He was getting a few days a week of workouts at a local ice rink, but that ended when the sport restrictions were recently tightened.
He鈥檚 working on maintaining his fitness level by running outdoors.
鈥淛ust trying to keep physically active,鈥� Williams commented.
鈥淚 can go out rollerblading [as well].鈥�
Special Olympics Canada female athlete of the year honours went to Ontario鈥檚 Monique Shah.
Shah, who has been with Special Olympics for 23 years, participates in bowling, bocce, curling, athletics and snowshoeing.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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