Global Courant
Now that his team has won gold for Canada in the pool at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games, Tyler Servant of Swift Current, Sask., says he would like to one day help younger athletes as a coach.
Tyler was first of the blocks for the Canadians in the men’s 4x50m medley relay in Berlin on Friday, taking a backstroke.
He and teammates Caleb Lake, Jesse Canney and Christopher Innes trailed in second and third for most of the race, but the squad pulled ahead in time for a thrilling victory over Denmark in second and Germany in third.
“We knew it was going to be an exciting race, and it certainly lived up to that hype,” coach Jackie Powell told CBC News in an interview on Sunday’s final day of the Games.
“It came down to the last few strokes and everyone did their part, and it was just amazing. The stands just erupted.”
Being out of shot first, Servant said he knew he had to set the pace, then “It was good to see the race” because he was able to cheer on his teammates.
“It felt quite exciting and I was quite happy… Everyone swam well, but for all four of us it was just another day at the office.”
Purpose to help others
Servant has been involved in the Special Olympics for ten years and has also done bowling and baseball. He was asked about his future in competitive swimming.
“I will still keep coming (back) to swim, but my goal is to become a coach… for the younger athletes, help them and make them feel at home.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a pool, a bowling alley, or anywhere, I just let younger athletes come out and enjoy what I like.”
