The Games will be ‘amazing,’ Quinn says

During a recent chilly day, SooToday spoke with the Sault’s Quinn Pleau MacWilliam at Hiawatha Highlands as he prepared for a day of cross country skiing.

Quinn, 27, has been a cross country skier since childhood, enjoying the sport with his family at Hiawatha, and is looking forward to competing in cross country skiing at the 2019 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Winter Games to be held in Sault Ste. Marie Jan. 31 to Feb. 3.

“I like to stay active, I like to exercise and being outside in the winter. It’s a really good experience,” he told us.

Quinn has been involved in swimming, bowling and in previous cross country skiing competitions, but the upcoming locally-based Games are his first time in Special Olympics cross country action.

“It’ll feel great (to be competing in front of his hometown friends and family). I can’t wait to do it. It’s going to be really amazing.”

When not on the cross country trails, Quinn enjoys listening to music and keeping himself busy, also having been involved in singing and acting, appearing in plays with the Creative Spirits Theatre Group and as a St. Mary’s College student.

Quinn also loves cooking and volunteers at the Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen Community Centre.

“It doesn’t matter who wins,” Quinn smiled when asked if he’s going for the gold at the upcoming Games, clearly in it for good, sporty fun.

“I would like to meet new friends,” Quinn added, looking forward to meeting other Special Olympians from across Ontario when they gather for social occasions during the Games.

The 2019 Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Winter Games will consist of Nordic skiing, Alpine skiing, figure skating, speed skating, curling and snowshoeing, to be held at the John Rhodes Community Centre, GFL Memorial Gardens, Community First Curling Centre, Searchmont Ski Resort and Hiawatha.

For more information, check out the Games website