Lornita Phillips
Local Community
Nanaimo
When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
My Mom put me in Special Olympics about 8 years ago. I have a big family, and there are 10 kids in my family alone that are all involved with Special Olympics doing the same and different kinds of sports.
Will this be your first Special Olympics Canada Games? If not, what other National Games did you compete in, and in what sports?
Yes, this will be my first SO Canada Games. I do 5 pin bowling with regular youth. I won BC Provincial Single Player for Junior Girls when I was 12 and went to Nationals in Regina. The next year, me and my partner won Provincials in Junior Girl Doubles, and went to Nationals in Quebec. We won the Bronze medals for Canada, which was so fun.
Last year, I was the only Junior player that won a spot on Team BC. 3 boys and 3 girls were selected to go to Calgary for the National Youth Challenge. It was all very fun and amazing.
What were your results in the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games? How did you feel about your performance?
I was competing in 6 different strokes, and I won a Gold medal in each race, so I came home with 6 Gold medals. It was fun and I made some good friends. We talk to each other all the time. It was hard because I was battling through a bit of a sickness, but I did it and won my races, so I was proud of myself. It will be so much better to compete while hopefully not sick this time.
What does being part of Special Olympics Team BC 2026 mean to you?
It’s fun and I get to make friends from my own province, but also from across Canada. We get to show people we are just as good as everyone else in our own way. It's pretty awesome to represent BC, and I hope to do good in my races.
What is your goal for these National Games?
I have been training hard and I hope I can do really good at Nationals. If I do win my races, I hope I could represent Canada and get to go to the World Games next year.
What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date?
My favourite experience was winning 6 Gold medals at Provincials last summer even though I was sick. I like meeting people and making new friends too.
What do you like most about the sport you will compete in at National Games?
I love to swim, just being in the water makes me happy.
What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
If you want to meet cool new people, everyone is so nice and welcoming. Come and hang out with us!
Please tell us a little bit more about yourself! What else would you like people to know about you?
I’m quiet and shy at first, but when I get comfortable, I’m really friendly. I have a very large family from my adoptive and bio family. I have 19 siblings. I love all kinds of sports, but swimming and bowling are my favourite.