WAINFLEET — One local family is getting a serious case of Olympics fever, and it has nothing to do with Sochi.

Wainfleet’s Grant Flagg has recently begun training for the 2014 Special Olympics, which will take place this July in Vancouver. Flagg, who has an intellectual disability, is one of three Niagarans who will be competing for Ontario in the athletics division during five-day event.

“I’m excited about going with other teammates (from the region),” he said.

Flagg is on the track and field team, and will be competing in the 100- and 200-metre dashes, shot put, and long jump. Of the four events long jump is his favourite.

“He’s like a gazelle, he just bounces when he goes,” said mom Cindi.

Grant found out he made the team last November. He said he was surprised when he got the letter, and after reading it took him a few minutes for it to set in.

“He’s an amazing young man, he really is,” said his coach Kim Bartlett.

Training will start fairly relaxed. Bartlett is in charge of coaching four athletes, the three from Niagara and another from Brantford, and said the early regimen will see the athletes in the pool, doing some swimming and water-related exercises. The purpose of working in the water is to ease the pressure on the joints.

Not that Grant is afraid to push through a little pain. At a regional event last year he finished a race even after pulling his hamstring.

“He’s very willing to work and anything we ask him to do he does with enthusiasm,” said Bartlett.

As they get closer to the event the workouts will increase in quantity and intensity. After March break they’ll head into the gym twice a week and also be expected to workout an additional day a week.

Grant will also have to sacrifice his other passions. An avid BMX rider Cindi said he’ll have to stay off the bike leading up to the event to avoid injury.

The Games get underway July 8. This year’s event will feature 11 sports and be the largest Canadian Games ever, with more than 2,000 athletes. Most of the family will fly out west with Grant to show their support.

Since he got involved with the Special Olympics, Cindi said she’s noticed huge improvements in her son’s social and school life.

“He’s proud of who he is,” she said, adding both his self-confidence and grades have improved.

Port Colborne Leader
By Luke Edwards