By Sheldon Spackman

Hollingsworth inspires at Special Olympics Celebrity Breakfast

Jun 20, 2018 | 12:00 PM

Olympic bronze medalist Mellisa Hollingsworth shared her inspirational personal story with over 300 guests during the 12th Annual Special Olympics Celebrity Breakfast held at Westerner Park Wednesday morning.

Retiring from the sport of skeleton following her third Olympic Games appearance in Sochi, Russia in 2014, Hollingsworth says she now enjoys sharing her story in hopes of inspiring others.

“It’s owning it,” says Hollingsworth. “It’s owning your own power, it’s owning up to mistakes and being vulnerable when you do make a mistake. You can come out and just say ‘I’m sorry’ and when you’re vulnerable, it’s amazing how people will be compassionate and be on your side. That way, instead of butting heads, we can all work together.”

She says inspiration in sport can come from many different realms, including for those in Special Olympics.

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“It’s great to meet some of the Special Olympians that were here in the room today and hear their stories and to know that the community can come together and rally to help support their dreams,” she adds. “When you get to watch all different athletes compete, the heart strings get pulled on quite a bit with their journeys.”

Hollingsworth says her main message to the Special Olympic athletes in Red Deer and area would be to live with passion.

“There’s nothing better than having that purpose when you wake up in the morning and being passionate about your sport and your training,” says Hollingsworth. “Enjoy every moment because before you know it, it’s done and over with and you’re retired. There’s lots of great memories that can be made, but just being really happy and proud of all of their accomplishments.”   

Jerry Tennant, spokesperson for Special Olympics Red Deer says Hollingsworth was a terrific fit for being the guest speaker at this event.

“She’s been through challenges, she knows what it’s like to fail but also to succeed,” he explains. “She’s just an inspiring athlete who didn’t give up, who continued her sport and who had great success at the local, national and international level.”

By the time the dollars are counted the Celebrity Breakfast — their biggest event of the year —  about $12,000-$14,000 will have been raised. That money will benefit 13 sports, 300 athletes and 75 volunteers who make Special Olympics Red Deer. Local athletes take part in sports ranging from golf to swimming and bowling to track and field.

“Last year we sent 55 athletes to the provincial games in five sports,” says Tennant. “We have nine athletes who are part of Team Alberta taking part in the Canada National Games in PEI. Some of them just came back, the bowlers and the rest of the team goes to Nova Scotia in July.”

“We’ve grown in numbers this year, we’ve grown in numbers of volunteers and our fundraising is right on track, so it’s actually been an excellent year for us,” he concludes.

Coming up on July 3, Hollingsworth and two-time National barrel racing champion Nancy Csabay will comprise one of 10 teams premiering on Season Six of CTV’s The Amazing Race Canada in the show’s first ever ‘Heroes Edition’.

Hollingsworth describes it as an epic journey you won’t want to miss.