Special Olympics Canada athlete Alexander Pang has dedicated 18 years to figure skating. Over these years, Alexander has excelled, rising to the level of a Level 5 figure skater. Beyond his hard work and dedication, he credits a turning point in his career to his first encounter with the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® during Canada’s National Games in 2012.
At that time, Alexander was experiencing foot pain and imbalance, which negatively impacted his performance and well-being during practice and competitions. After attending the Fit Feet discipline of Healthy Athletes, Alexander was fitted for customized orthotic skate inserts (insoles).
The results were transformative. With the new skate inserts, Alexander's stability in jumps and spins improved dramatically, and his skating abilities elevated almost immediately. These advancements paved the way for Alexander to attend his first World Games. Turin 2025 marks his fourth time competing on the global stage.
While Alexander’s journey is inspiring, it is also emblematic of the experiences of many Special Olympics athletes. 56% of athletes who attend Healthy Athletes exhibit abnormal walking patterns, and 62% wear the wrong shoe size.
During the World Winter Games Turin 2025, Alexander will compete in his fourth World Games in Level 5, mixed figure skating on Wednesday 12 March 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in Pala Tazzoli.
