TRURO, N.S. — Jason Hicks won’t have much time to rest when he’s in Toronto. The track athlete is a member of the Nova Scotia team heading to Toronto to take part in the first Special Olympics Youth Invitational Games, which are being held May 14-17.
“I’m very excited,” he said. “It’s one of the biggest accomplishments in my track career.”
The 21-year-old has been competing in track since he was 14.
“It’s something you get into and you like. It just feels great to have the wind going by my face.”
He trains three or four days a week at the Cougar Dome or the Rath-Eastlink Community Centre, and works at McDonalds. He usually walks to work, which takes about 40 minutes.
He finds the hardest part is experiencing pain when he’s injured. One groin injury prevented him from running for three months.
The trip to Toronto will be Hicks’ first time on a plane. He hopes to see a few of the sights, including the CN Tower, while he’s there.
Hicks plays floor hockey too but running is his favourite sport.
“There are volunteers who help with driving us places and coaching and I really appreciate their help,” he said. “They helped me accomplish things.
“It’s important to never give up on your dreams. It took me years to get to where I am now.”
More information on the Special Olympics Youth Invitational Games can be found online at https://youthgames2019.com