GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, N.L. – Paralympian Katarina Roxon is all about smiling.
The champion swimmer swam laps at the YMCA with Special Olympics athletes from the Exploits Hurricanes swim team May 3.
“I think it’s very important that people who are known in the community get to speak to kids and influence them,” said Roxon. “For me growing up, I never really had that. So, I know that it’s something that’s needed.”
Members from the Grand Falls-Windsor Gators swim team watched eagerly from poolside as Roxon swam. Roxon said that meeting people who look up to her keeps her motivated.
“To watch them grow and compete, and do well and succeed in life, it makes everything worthwhile,” she said.
Roxon said one of the things that stood out to her was the smile on the faces of the Special Olympics athletes the moment she touched the wall of the pool.
“I think that’s one thing that every athlete needs,” she said. “They need to learn to smile a bit more, not be so super serious about it. Smile and enjoy it, because a lot of people lose that aspect. That’s one thing I know that they had, and they were enjoying themselves. That’s one thing that for sure keeps you going.”
After the swim, the athletes from both the Gators and Hurricanes sat poolside while Roxon delivered a positive message. Athletes then posed questions about her career and asked how they could improve their swim times.
“It would mean the world,” said Newfoundland and Labrador Special Olympics outreach co-ordinator Kim McDonald-Wilkes about the athletes swimming with Roxon. “She’s a world-renowned gold medalist. A world-renowned athlete to come to Grand Falls-Windsor and hop in the pool with you, outstanding. We’re hoping it inspires the youth. We hope that they can see if she can do it, we can do it.”
Volunteer coach with the Exploits Hurricanes Oliva Hiscock turned McDonald-Wilkes’ hope into reality.
“I’ve been with Special Olympics for two years now, and I never thought this was going to happen,” Hiscock said. “To meet her, it’s awesome. Hearing her speak, it’s inspiring.”
