A Manitoba swimmer has her sights set on Team Canada as she competes at the Special Olympics Canada Games.
Quinlan Roberts was diagnosed with Autism when she was two years old. Now 18, Roberts has refused to let that stop her from doing what she loves, which is swimming.
Until August 4, 2018, Roberts will be at the Special Olympics Canda Games, competing in six different swimming categories with athletes from across Canada.
"She has been training super hard, she's super focused," said Roberts' coach, Melissa Diamond. "Like all the athletes she has her sights set on Team Canada."
Roberts will be competing in six different events. That includes the 100-metre freestyle and the 50-metre backstroke, where Roberts won gold and silver respectively at the 2017 Canada Summer Games.
"The great thing about Special (Olympics) is that it feels like a united community," Roberts said. "They come together and make something happen."
That doesn't mean the competitive edge won't come out once they hit the water, but Roberts says there is still a lot of comradery between the provinces.
The games are taking place in Nova Scotia, which is very exciting for Roberts. While she hasn't had much of a chance to explore yet, she's happy just to be there and get to do what she loves.
"I'm really excited to see how she does," Diamond said.
While Roberts wouldn't guarantee a gold medal, she is hoping to get one, with the goal of eventually making it to the Special Olympics Team Canada.
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