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Golden skier named Female Athlete of the Year

Shelly Poland received an amazing honour this week when Special Olympics Canada named her Female Athlete of the Year.
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Shelly Poland is pictured holding her Gold Medal from the Special Olympics in South Korea in 2013.

Special Olympics Canada has announced the 2016 national award winners, and are delighted to congratulate all the deserving recipients, including Female Athlete of the Year Shelly Poland of Special Olympics BC – Golden.

Shelly has been involved with Special Olympics BC for the past 12 years, participating in cross country skiing (since its inception in Golden), bowling, golf, swimming, and Club Fit. No stranger to competition, this two-time Team BC member has competed in cross country skiing on a national level at the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in St. Albert, Alberta, where she won two gold medals in the 500M and 1KM classic races, and at the 2016 National Winter Games in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, where she finished first in her division in the 1KM classic race and sixth in the 500M. Shelly was also a member of Team Canada at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in the Republic of Korea, where she competed in the 500M and won gold in the 1KM race. Shelly is always training to be the best she can be, even continuing to train outside her scheduled sessions to improve her fitness and skills. She is an admirable competitor!