THUNDER BAY — Cross county skier Noah Filice won big at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.
Earning a first-place win in the D02 4x1km ski relay alongside his team, Filice also took home a third-place win in the M01 2.5 km, and fifth place in the M01 1km.
“This was my first time attending a worldwide event like that. I competed in cross country skiing and I took home a gold, a bronze, and a fifth place,” he said.
The 20-year-old athlete said he felt special and accomplished after returning to Thunder Bay on Tuesday.
“I've been doing cross country skiing for a little over eight years now.”
Filice added that it all started for fun, and turned into something bigger.
“I’m hoping to take part in another set of provincials and nationals and possibly even worlds again. At the moment, the next event I have is a track and field event in Brampton in July,” he said.
Filice attended the provincials and nationals back in 2019 and 2020.
Returning after two weeks away from home, Filice said it was a brand-new experience that he really enjoyed.
The World Games usually alternate between summer and winter games, in two-year cycles, recurring every fourth year.
The Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin 2025 brought over 1,500 athletes from over 100 countries, including 90 from Canada and 25 from Ontario.
Filice was the only athlete coming from Thunder Bay. He told Special Olympics officials that "hard work pays off and practice makes progress and helps you improve."
Officials asked Filice what he wants the public to know about athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
"We can do just about anything," he said.
Local Special Olympics volunteers described Filice as a focused and dedicated athlete, and could not be more proud if his achievements.
