Four fast friends and members of Special Olympics Airdrie's (SOA) swim program are preparing to test themselves on the provincial stage later this month at the 2023 Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games.
The four swimmers include Gracie, 15; Rylee, 19; Ava, 15; and Emma, 14. They qualified for this month's multi-sport games (taking place in Okotoks from July 20 to 23) thanks to their fast times at the Special Olympics Airdrie swim meet at Genesis Place Recreation Centre, held in April.
Rick Ball, a volunteer with SOA's swim program, said the four are not only teammates who practice together twice a week, but close friends outside the pool as well.
“I think it’s more of a friend group now than a swim team,” he said. “They’re all buddies outside of swimming. They all go to each other’s birthday parties and they encourage each other more than anyone else. They really push each other.”
For Ball, the group also has a personal connection, as Emma is his granddaughter. He said he's proud of her for her dedication to swimming and that she's earned the chance to compete at the provincial games.
While SOA's swimming program typically ends in April each year, Ball noted that the four swimmers' qualifications for the provincial games this month means their swim season was extended by a couple of months.
“They’re great kids,” he said.
