A Sports Hero in Our Midst Ben So lives on the edge of Byron near Snake Hill. He works at LiveFit Foods, packing meals for online customers. He loves playing video games when he’s not working on his computer, but there is more to Ben than meets the eye. This past March, Ben became a bronze medalist in Special Olympic Alpine Skiing at the Special Olympic World Games in Turin, Italy.
Ben, 37, is one of 23 Canadian Special Olympic athletes who competed in alpine skiing in Turin. He raced
Ben during training
Mayor Josh Morgan and Ben
Coach Carole and Ben
in three events: the Men’s Giant Slalom, Super G, and Slalom races, bringing home the bronze medal in the Giant Slalom. Ben began skiing with the Track 3 Ski School at Boler Mountain. His parents noticed his skill and inquired about the Special Olympic Alpine ski team operating out of Boler Mountain. The team asked Ben to join in 2008. By 2011, Ben was ready to participate in more advanced competitions, racing and winning medals at the Provincial and National levels. With continued diligent training, Ben qualified for his second National Games in Calgary in February 2024. He won two gold medals and a silver to secure a spot on Team Canada and head to the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Carole Metron, a ski coach with the London Special Olympics Ski team, was selected by Special Olympics Canada to train Ben for the Calgary games. She was invited to be Ben’s training coach for the 2025 World Games. “All they want for Christmas is You” “I have coached Ben at Boler Mountain for the past six years,” explains Carole. “He’s one of the most committed, focused, and determined special athletes I’ve ever worked with on this team.” To prepare for Italy, Ben trained faithfully from October 2024 to this past March, starting with dry land training alongside his alpine teammates. Carole added weight, balance, and agility training to Ben’s routine. Ben and Carole took to the slopes at Boler Mountain in January. “My new skis were a big help during this training because they let me make sharp turns,” says Ben. London Animal Care Centre • 121 Pine Valley Blvd, London www.accpets.ca • (519)685-1330
Being in Turin, Italy, among the majestic Alps and Special Olympic athletes from around the world, was an exciting opportunity for Ben. The experience has given him many memories, including meeting Mayor Josh Morgan after returning home. What Ben remembers most, however, was his surprise at placing third in the Giant Slalom and then standing on the podium to receive his bronze medal. Looking to the future, Ben plans to continue his ski training. “My goal for alpine skiing is to win more medals at future events and competitions,” adds Ben. For more information on the Special Olympics organization in London, visit www.soolondon.com.
December
Ben during training
London Animal Care Centre 121 Pine Valley Blvd. www.accpets.ca • (519) 685-1330 The Catty Shack 756 Windermere Rd. • (519) 432-4572 Dreaming of a Forever Home Adopt Today!
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Page 19 Byron Villager May 2025
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