Strathmore's very own Emma Bittorf has a chance to represent Canada at the 2022 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Kazan, Russia. She has been selected to the Special Olympics Canada Training Team for figure skating.

Bittorf skates with the Strathmore Skating Club and has put in years of hard work to get where she is today. "I have been figure skating since I was nine, so about nine years. I enjoy competing and another favourite is doing my spiral and spins. I also love wearing my skating dress when I perform."

She explained that she was very excited when she heard the news that she was named to the team. She is hopeful that the COVID-19 pandemic will allow her to actually travel to Russia.

"I was really excited and proud of myself. I became very emotional because I had achieved my goal of being selected to Team Canada in a sport that I love. I'm looking forward to a new experience, culture, meeting new friends and trying new food."

The skating star said she is looking forward to seeing the sights in Russia. She said that she knows it is going to be cold much like in Canada in the winter.

Bittorf is one of 108 athletes that qualified for the training team. She explained some of her favourite memories during her skating career. "I have two favourite moments. I got to skate with Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, I also got to meet many famous figure skaters like Patrick Chan, Katelynn Osmond and Elvis Stokjo. My other favourite moment was going to Thunder Bay for nationals in 2020 and winning a gold medal."

According to the Special Olympics Website, "From 22-28 January 2022, 2,000 athletes and Unified partners from 108 Nations and 3,000 volunteers from all over the world will gather in Kazan to create acceptance and inclusion through sport, volunteerism, education and health."

The Special Olympics were founded in 1968 and continues to strive to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people.