Cowichan Special Olympics athletes podium at Canada Summer Games
Published 10:46 am Monday, September 21, 2026
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Five Special Olympics – Cowichan Valley athletes brought home 12 medals, including four gold, five silver, and three bronze, while proudly representing the community and Team B.C. on the national stage Aug. 11 to 15 in Medicine Hat, Alta.
Jason Smith (swimming), Mark Skelton (swimming), Savannah Carlow (athletics), Louis Butler (10-pin bowling), and Krista Grzybowski (bocce) all medalled, but for the athletes, the experience was about much more than competition and medals.
“The best part of going to Medicine Hat and representing Team BC was all the friends I made. I want to thank all my coaches and Team BC for this opportunity,” said Carlow.
Carlow won gold in the Div. 1 1500m event, silver in the Div. 3 400m, silver in Div. 1 Long Jump Div. 1, and bronze in the 4x400m Div. 1 relay.
“Watching Savannah compete on the national stage was an unforgettable experience. Family and friends were glued to the live stream, cheering her on as if we were trackside and she could hear us. We are incredibly proud of everything she accomplished,” said Debbie Carlow, Savannah’s coach and parent.
Smith swam to gold medals in the Div. 7 25m backstroke and the 4x25m Div. 3 freestyle relay. He earned bronze in the 100m Div. 9 freestyle.
Skelton also swam to gold in the 4x25m Div. 3 freestyle. He further earned silver medals in both the Div. 5 25m freestyle and the Div. 6 25m backstroke.
Butler bowled to Div. 8 singles gold, and Grzybowski earned bronze in Div. 1 bocce singles.
“The athletes’ success reflects months and years of training, as well as the support of dedicated coaches, volunteers, families, community partners, and donors who make Special Olympics programs possible in the Cowichan Valley,” said Special Olympics – Cowichan Valley spokesperson Juanita Thompson.