Uxbridge Special Olympian comes home a silver medallist

Justyne Edgell

Uxbridge figure skater Alicia Smith, centre, celebrates a silver medal with other Team Ontario medal winners. Photo submitted by Miriam Smith

Uxbridge figure skater, Alicia Smith, recently returned home from the 2024 Special Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, with a silver medal in her luggage.

Placing second place in her free skate and fourth in her dances, Smith says she felt that the games went really well.

“I feel excited and happy when I’m skating at a national competition. I get a bit nervous, but everyone says that’s a good thing!”

Smith says that her experience was made even more special by being there with her coach, Alison MacLean. “We worked hard but also had so much fun,” says Smith.

It wasn’t, however, all competing and no play; Smith loves how traveling for competition allows her to connect with others.

“I loved seeing my skating friends from across Ontario. I was able to spend time with some of my long-time friends and also made some new ones.”

Smith also had the unique experience of a training session with Elizabeth Manley, Canada’s figure skating gold medalist at the 1988 Olympics.

“She was so great and there were things I learned from her that made me better on the ice. She really inspired me,” says Smith.