THUNDER BAY – Tyler Rissanen and Amy Cizmar are Russia-bound.
The two athletes have made history, the first from Thunder Bay named to Canada’s Special Olympics World Winter Games team that will compete in Kazan, Russia in January 2023.
Both took part in the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games held last year in their home town, and both are beyond excited for the chance to chase a medal on the world stage in a little over a year from now.
Cizmar, 32, will compete in downhill skiing, while Rissanen, 19, will test his speed on the snowshoe track.
“This was a dream the first time I joined Special Olympics downhill skiing,” Cizmar said, at a recent kick-off event officially announcing their Team Canada berths.
“Every time I tried my best and failed. But this time, I made the team. Thumbs up, it’s a joyful medal for myself.”
Her goals in Russia are about as ambitious as they come.
“To bring home a medal or two or three for my hometown here in Thunder Bay,” Cizmar said. “The competition will be at a high, high level, but there’s no mountain I can’t conquer.”
Rissanen has been snowshoeing for about five years, at least competitively.
He’s excited to head overseas for a variety of reasons, from the competition of the Games, to seeing what the other athletes bring to the track to making new friends from around the world.
The waiting, as Tom Petty once sang, is going to be the hardest part. It’ll all be worth it in the end.
“For me, going to Russia means getting to represent my country. This is my first time going. It’s probably going to be a huge adjustment for me,” Rissanen said.
“It’ll be my first time being that far away from home, instead of being so close to home the last three years.”
Like Cizmar, his expectation levels in Russia are sky high.
“I think the competition is going to be high, the camaraderie is going to be high and I think the athletes are going to be ready to go,” said Rissanen, who is using cross-fit training methods to stay in shape until the snow is back on the ground.
The two athletes have kept up their spirits despite everything the pandemic has thrown at them over the past year-and-a-half.
“The World Games was postponed by one year, and Amy and Tyler have both managed that with incredible grace. They have remained diligent in their training for this extended wait and pivoted when needed during pandemic shutdowns,” said Denita Minletti, treasurer and event coordinator for Special Olympics Thunder Bay.
”Their resilience and enthusiasm is an inspiration and we know they will continue to inspire us as they finish their training and move on to compete in Russia. Our entire Special Olympics community will proudly cheer them on in 2023, and we invite all of Thunder Bay to do the same.”
The trip costs will be covered in part by a surprise donation of $87,500 to Special Olympics Thunder Bay, from the proceeds of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.
This gift has been made possible by our entire community coming together to support the 2020 Games in record form,” said Games chair Barry Streib.
“There were so many people involved in the event in so many ways, from sponsors and donors, to fundraisers and volunteers, that we exceeded our fundraising goal and are thrilled to pass these extra funds on to the local Special Olympics chapter. Our goal for the Games was to provide the best experience possible for the athletes and this donation is an exciting legacy that extends that effort beyond the Games.”
