John MacNeil
Daily Herald
A hero’s welcome greeted two Prince Albert residents as they returned home Sunday from medal performances in the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games at Medicine Hat, Alta.
With sirens blaring, horns honking and resounding cheers from a good-sized gathering in the Art Hauser Centre parking lot, Tanner Svenson and Thomas Beam were in the sunny spotlight as they proudly showed off their well-earned medals.
Svenson took home gold in bocce and qualified for the international Special Olympics next year.
Beam was part of Saskatchewan’s bronze-medal-winning basketball team.
“They did a remarkable job and it’s good to come home to a hero’s welcome in Prince Albert,” Ward 6 Coun. Blake Edwards said after welcoming Svenson and Beam back to the city.
From politicians, police and fire personnel, to family and friends and hockey players from the U18 AAA Mintos and Bears, the community gathered for a greeting befitting a couple of popular residents.
“It’s a good mix of people and it’s a special thing to do for these guys,” Coun. Edwards said. “They’re both well-known. Tanner has done lots in the community, too, so it’s good.”
The athletes’ coaches were also saluted, as was provincial team athletics coach Darren Whitehead of Prince Albert. With 40-plus
years of coaching experience behind him, Whitehead guided Saskatchewan’s athletics team to two gold, four silver and four bronze medals.
Active in the Prince Albert hockey community as an announcer, Svenson was in fine form as he posted a perfect 5-0 record in Medicine Hat. He became the first bocce athlete from Saskatchewan to garner gold at the national Special Olympics.
“It means a lot,” said the 23-year-old Svenson, holding his gold medal.
“I just feel really proud to be representing P.A. and the community and my province, and to show the rest of Canada that I can do it as a young athlete.
“Yeah, I do know quite a bit of people (in the community). I’m becoming a big star in P.A.”
His friend Beam, 24, also continues to make inroads in Special Olympics. They’ve becomes buddies through their mutual sporting experiences.
Bocce has emerged as Svenson’s prime sport, though he has participated in a wide variety of other Special Olympics events.
“I tried a lot of sports for longer periods,” he said. “I played floor ball, floor hockey, for over 10 years, and basketball for a few more years than bocce. I also did bowling for eight years.
“Bocce has been my least-experienced sport, but my most successful.”
His latest achievement has qualified Svenson for the world Special Olympics in October 2027 at Santiago, Chile.
Overall, last week’s national Special Olympics were a resounding success for Team Saskatchewan, which captured 64 medals (25 gold, 19 silver and 20 bronze).
