Not very many people get the chance to experience a Canada Summer Games as an athlete.
Even fewer can say they won a medal.
For Humboldt’s Samantha Fisher and Englefeld’s Tia Zimmerman both fantasies became reality as the pair each brought home five medals from the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games held in Antigonish, N.S. July 31 to Aug. 4.
Fisher brought home three silver, and two bronze, while Zimmerman added one gold, two silver, and two bronze.
Fisher called it “incredible” to be able to bring home five medals.
The pair had each of the four swimming disciplines covered throughout the meet, with Fisher swimming in the 25m, 50m and 100m freestyle, 25m, 50m and 100m backstroke, and the 4x50m freestyle relay.
Zimmerman joined up with Fisher for the relay swim, but added the 25m breaststroke, 25m and 50m butterfly, and 400m freestyle to her list of events.
The trip to the Canada Summer Games was the second for Fisher, who also competed in 5-pin bowling in the past, and said she used the experience from her previous trip to help calm her nervous before hitting the pool.
The Summer Games were just the first for Zimmerman, who despite it being her first time said she did not feel any extra nerves.
“I was nervous just because I always get nerves before a swim but I’ve gotten used to swimming in front of a big crowd so the crowd doesn’t bother me when I’m swimming.”
Of course, the Summer Games provided the pair with a chance to tour the province of Nova Scotia, including Crystal Cove.
“It was really nice,” said Fisher.
Both Fisher and Zimmerman said they wanted to thank their sponsors, the Canalta Hotel for Fisher, and the Village of Englefeld, Schulte Industries, and MD Seeds for Zimmerman, who played a big role in the pair travelling to Antigonish.
“They let me go and experience the games,” said Fisher.
