Burns Lake local coaches at the Special Olympics

Burns Lake snowshoe coach Tina Giesbrecht participated as team manager and mission staff member in the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 with Team B.C. The games happened from Feb. 27 to March 2.

Giesbrecht, Sandra Schuffert, coach, and Torben Schuffert, athlete, were the only participants from Region 7—Prince Rupert to Vanderhoof. Sandra and Torben are from Smithers and Torben took part in the snowshoeing competition.

Unfortunately, athlete Danny Tress from Burns Lake could not compete due to lack of qualifying points for the snowshoeing games from Region 7.

"We had three members from Region 7 to attend these games, who joined with five coaches and 15 athletes on the snowshoe team around the province. Sadly, our athlete from Burns Lake, who attended this competition, did not qualify," Giesbrecht said.

Giesbrecht said that she and Sandra are volunteers in their communities who work many hours to ensure the athletes have sports opportunities year-round.

Torben won a gold medal in the 4 x 400 relay and competed in five-kilometre, 1600-meter, and 800-meter races in snowshoeing competition.

"We are very proud of all our athletes who competed at these games. They showed incredible sportsmanship, grit, and determination, on and off the field of play, and showed their appreciation to all volunteers, making B.C. one of the favoured teams for being courteous and respectful," Giesbrecht said.

Last winter, athletes from around the province competed in qualifying competitions for the national games in snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, curling, floor hockey, figure skating, speed skating, and 5-pin bowling.

"All athletes competed in cold, wind, slush, and snow conditions; always with a smile on their faces," Giesbrecht said.