Olympics just over the horizon for local athlete

BY LAUREL MYERS

Ryan Normand has been running a blazing streak across the province, competing in a slew of sports, and adorning his walls with medal after medal.

The 25-year-old Sudbury man is at the prime of his competitiveness - whether it be in track and field, swimming, bowling, soccer, or snowshoeing - and he's not letting anything or anyone stand in his way on his trek to the Special Olympics' world competition.

An accident at the age of 11 left Normand with a brain injury. At the age of 13, he began competing in sports.

Standing at a looming 6-5, Normand has an advantage on the track and in the pool with his long limbs. At his most recent provincial swim meet, the multi-athlete nabbed a number of medals: three golds, two silvers and two bronze.

He also earned four first-place ribbons recently at a regional track and field meet, held in Sault Ste. Marie. His victories have qualified him for the nationals in swimming and the provincial games for track and field.

He said his most significant achievements so far have been competing at the national level for both snowshoeing and track and field, as well as swimming in the Canada Games in Ottawa a couple of years ago.

However, his heart is set on competing at the worlds.

"I have a dream to one day go to the worlds," he said. "I also hope to coach track and snowshoeing when I retire."

Unlike other sporting events, the Special Olympics does not have a specified age at which athletes must retire, and Normand is planning on taking full advantage of that, saying he will just keep going until he makes it.

Coaching may have to wait, but according to his mother, Judy, the kids already look up to him.

"He motivates them," she said. "When they see Ryan run, they want to be like him."

The proud mother has no doubts that her son will accomplish all he sets his mind to.

"He is very dedicated in all he does. I'm very proud of him," Judy said. "He's an inspiration even for me. He has risen above many hurdles in his life and gone through a lot of hard times, but he just keeps on trucking, he doesn't give up.

"He's an amazing fellow and I thank God every day for him," she continued. "Without him, life's ups and downs would have been a harder struggle. He has given me the inspiration I need to carry on when times are tough."

Normand has lost a number of people in his life, his mother said, including family, and friends who he has trained beside and competed with. His most shattering loss, three and a half years ago, was his stepfather, who had a profound influence on the young man and his drive in sports.

"His stepfather only had one arm and he could do as much, or more than some with two arms. Nothing stopped him," Judy said. "Ryan learned from that - that nothing will keep you back in what you're doing... to never give up on his dreams, and that anything is possible no matter what your disability.

"Ryan still misses him and I think, in a way, he still does it for him," she added.

"He kept me going," Normand agreed.

Running coach Dick Moss has every confidence in his study's continued success.

"He's easier to work with than most of my other runners," Moss admitted. "All I have to do is tell him the workout and it's as good as done. He's very focused and he doesn't like to waste time, so he just jumps into his workout without a lot of procrastinating. Often, by the time my other runners are finished warming up, he's finished his workout.

"Ryan is highly motivated and he's great to work with."

Normand and his mother wanted to express their sincere gratitude to all those who have helped Ryan fulfill his athletic goals, including his coaches, his present employer - Watts Supplies - for giving him the time off to compete, and Home Depot, his former employer, for all their support in the past.

"Without these people, Ryan would not have been able to achieve his goals," his mother said.