Chris Strus already knows what it's like to represent his country on the international stage.
He'll get the chance to do it again in a few months' time.
The Yellowknife Special Olympian was named to Canada's roster for the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., on Sept. 28, the day Special Olympics Canada released its roster. Strus will be competing in swimming.
Lynn Elkin, Special Olympics NWT's executive director, said Strus was asked to join the team based on his results at the Special Olympics Canada Games this past July.
“The selection committee looked at the results and asked if Chris could join the team,” she said.
This will be the second time Strus will get to wear the maple leaf. His first time came when he was part of the Canadian squad that competed at the 2011 Games in Athens, Greece. His addition to the team follows the selections of such athletes as Mark Epilon, who won two silver medals at the 2015 Games in Los Angeles, Calif., Terry Kuliktana, who swam for Canada in Beijing, China in 2007 and Cynthia Simmons, who hit the podium several times at the World Winter Games in PyenongChang, South Korea in 2013.
“These are incredible opportunities for our athletes and we remind everyone who gets chosen that every time,” said Elkin.
It should be noted that every region of the country has representation on the team with the exception of Nunavut, which doesn't have an active Special Olympics association.
Strus has a training regimen just like every other high-performance athlete who's preparing for competition. He trains at Ruth Inch Memorial Pool with his coach, Tanis Hunter, three times a week and also hits the gym at Just Fitness twice a week to work on his strength training.
“It's tough because we only have one slot per week for our groups at the pool,” said Elkin. “He does training during public swims to try and get as much time as possible.”
When the pool was closed for maintenance, Elkin said Strus switched over to the Fieldhouse to work on the track and focus on the various muscle groups he uses when swimming.
“It started with just walking but it expanded from there,” she said.
Going forward, Strus will attend a training camp with the swimming team later this month but Elkin said no matter what, it should be another great experience for Strus.
“It's the 50th anniversary of the Games in 2019 and it's the first time it's being held in that part of the world,” she said. “I expect they'll put on a great show.”