Ray Huson
Local / Community
Penticton
When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
I was working at a fundraiser event in 1994 where Special Olympics Penticton was one of the recipients of the funds raised. The local coordinator at the time mentioned during his speech that Special Olympics Penticton was looking for volunteers to help with snowshoeing. During a break, I mentioned to him that I knew how to snowshoe and was interested in helping out. Before you could say snowshoe, I was in as head coach.
Will this be your first Special Olympics Canada Games? If not, what other National Games were you part of and in what role(s)?
No, this will be my 8th National Games. 2008 Quebec City snowshoe coach; 2012 St. Albert cross country ski coach; 2014 Vancouver bocce coach; 2016 Corner Brook cross country ski coach; 2018 Antigonish bocce coach; 2020 Thunder Bay cross country ski coach; 2024 Calgary cross country ski coach.
What does being part of Special Olympics Team BC 2026 mean to you?
Always proud to wear the Team BC uniform representing Special Olympics BC knowing that our athletes are well trained and prepared to compete at the best of their abilities.
What is/are your goal(s) for National Games?
To have a well trained team looking to attain personal bests, and by doing so, to hopefully earn a place on the podium.
What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date?
So many. Opening ceremonies is always emotional and exciting. Opening ceremonies at World Games in Austria was particularly memorable, as the torch to open the games was skied down a mountain in increments - it looked amazing in the dark! It's always wonderful to watch our athletes compete, score a personal best, and earn a place on the podium.
What does competing at National Games mean to your athletes? (Or, if this is your first National Games, competition in general)
This will be my athletes' first National Games, and they are very excited to be attending. They are looking forward to competing against other athletes from across Canada.
What developments are you excited to see in your Team BC sport team leading up to National Games?
At the Regional and Provincial Games, my athletes competed as a team, but at the National Games, they will be competing as individuals. It will be a change, and I am excited to see how they meet the challenge.
What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
It sounds cliché, but you will always get more out of it than you put in, and you will have fun doing it! Come out and watch some events and see the joy and excitement of our athletes.
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