Niagara-on-the-Lake resident Carter Simpson received another send-off recently before leaving today to connect with Team Canada in Toronto ahead of this weekend’s start of the 2025 Special Olympics World Games in Turin, Italy.
The town’s digital signs at the NOTL Community Centre and the Virgil Sports Park are both lit up with a message cheering the 31-year-old alpine skier on as he gets set to compete in the Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G races next week at Sestriere’s Vialattea Resort, about 101 km southwest of Turin.
Simpson has won medals in those races at both the provincial and national levels in recent years.
Last Tuesday, a celebration in honour of Simpson and Team Canada teammate Ewan Barclay, a Fonthill speed skater, was hosted by the West Niagara Special Olympics Club in Grimsby. Simpson and Barclay are teammates on the West Niagara basketball team.
NOTL’s Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa, who sent a personal message to Simpson last week wishing him luck, was happy to see that town staff had programmed the signs to honour the world-class athlete.
“What an amazing young man,” Zalepa told The Local. “He is making us all proud. It helps us all focus on something really positive. We’re lucky to have people like Carter in the community stepping up and doing these amazing things. It really energizes people having a resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake on the global map.”
Zalepa also pointed out Simpson's dedication to the community through his volunteerism, calling it “an inspiration.” He carried the torch along Four Mile Creek Road for the 2022 Canada Summer Games and has volunteered for numerous events in town at the NOTL Tennis Club and elsewhere.
The former Sault Ste. Marie resident will be among the 1,500 athletes competing from 102 countries at the Turin Games. Athletes will vie for medals in eight winter sports over nine days, showcasing their skills in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, dance sport, figure skating, floorball, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and short-track speed skating.
Simpson moved to NOTL in 2022 with his parents, AnnLiz Simpson and Mike Sweeny. But it’s clear the people in his hometown haven’t forgotten him, as a giant digital sign with an image of him racing down a mountain is currently lighting up the Downtown Plaza on Bay St. in Sault Ste. Marie.
“Sault Ste. Marie is proud of Carter and we wish him the best of luck at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy," said mayor Matthew Shoemaker in an email. "It takes an incredible amount of training to get ready to compete in the games. Carter’s participation is a testament to his hard work and positive attitude. He will be a tremendous representative of our community and country."
Carter and the rest of Team Canada will be getting organized today and tomorrow and participating in some national media events in Toronto before boarding a plane destined for Italy Wednesday.
Opening ceremonies for the 2025 Special Olympics World Games will be held in Turin on Saturday, March 8. Carter’s competitions run from August 9 to 15.