Memramcook speed skater brings home gold from Special Olympics world games
New Brunswick athlete Veronique LeBlanc has brought home two medals from the Special Olympics World Winter Games.
The speed skater won a gold medal in the 500-metre race and a bronze in the 777-metre race.
"It feels good, but it feels heavy on my neck with two medals," said LeBlanc when asked about the win.
LeBlanc, a Memramcook native, was the only speed skater from the province on the team, a spot she secured after her performance last year at the Canada Special Olympics in Corner Brook, N.L.
LeBlanc has been skating since she was six, and had her eyes set on winning a gold medal at her first international event.
"I feel great, I feel happy, I feel excited. Everybody's happy, all my family is excited."
Sacha LeBlanc has been working with LeBlanc for eight years, and was one of the associate coaches for the Canadian speed skating team in Austria.
"To see all the hard work that's she's put into it. And then finally her dreams coming true. And watching her step on the top step of the podium was quite a proud moment," she said.
Personal bests
Sacha LeBlanc said it was an incredible two weeks.
"Like the whole team did fantastic. And there was medals and personal bests all around."
Canada won 117 medals at the games, including 47 gold.
While Veronique LeBlanc plans to take a few well-deserved days off after arriving home late Saturday night, she said she will be getting back to training soon.
Her next goal is to be make the Canadian team again in four years and win another gold medal.
Jennifer Jackson of Woodstock was another athlete representing New Brunswick on the Canadian team.
She won two silver medals in the 200-metre snowshoe race and the ladies 4 x 100 relay race.
