Meet Athlete Yorke Parkin
Special Olympics BC – Revelstoke athlete Yorke Parkin is a deserving recipient of provincial sport recognition this winter. He is being celebrated alongside the province’s top athletes in the 2025 Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards.
Parkin is one of three high-achieving finalists for the Male Athlete with a Disability category.
This recognition comes as no surprise. At only 17 years old, Parkin has shown the world his talent and earned many medals and personal bests in the process. Along the way, he’s also found a sense of belonging through Special Olympics.
He first heard about Special Olympics from his mother five years ago.
“I thought it sounded interesting, so I tried it and enjoyed it. It’s given me something to take part in where I can achieve my personal best.”
Parkin’s skill on the slopes quickly turned into gold. Representing our province at the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary, he raced onto the podium in alpine skiing, qualifying him for the 2025 Special Olympics Winter World Games in Turin, Italy.
There, he made his country proud by winning three gold medals in his three races, achieving multiple personal bests along the way.
Now, Parkin is turning his focus to the pool. Competing in swimming at the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George, Parkin medalled in all five of his events.
That strong showing earned Parkin a place on the 2026 Special Olympics Team BC Training Squad. He’s now working hard to be ready to compete at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
This will be his first Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.
“It’s fun to be a part of a summer sport team,” he said. His goal is to “swim faster and hopefully get medals. I just like to swim.”