Josh Dueck wins gold in Super Combined in Sochi.
Image Credit: Silver Star Mountain Resort/HO
March 28, 2014 - 8:29 AM
VERNON - Silver Star Resort is honouring Paralympic gold medal recipient Josh Dueck this weekend.
Dueck was left paralyzed from the waist down following a ski accident while coaching the Silver Star Freestyle Team in 2004, but he didn't let his injury get in the way of fully experiencing his favourite sport.
He started his road to Paralympic glory while learning to master the sit-ski with the Silver Star Adaptive Snow Sports the following ski season. By 2009, Dueck had conquered the sit-ski race circuit, winning the Downhill World Championships in Korea. He followed that performance with a silver medal in the Slalom in 2010 at the Vancouver Games.
Then he took gold in the Super Combined and silver in the Downhill in Sochi.
"The overwhelming support from the community has meant so much to me and my family,” Dueck said in a press release. “I’m really looking forward to the chance to share this with everyone at Silver Star.”
Anne Haight, director of sales and marketing for the resort, said it's exciting to be able to honour Dueck.
“Josh has always been a fantastic ambassador for Silver Star,” she said. “In the past decade he’s been an inspiration for so many people and to see him fulfill his childhood dream of winning gold for Canada was overwhelming. Everyone on the mountain was so stoked for Josh.”
Haight said the celebration on Saturday will be a chance for Silver Star to pay tribute to its most highly decorated, and more importantly, most beloved athlete.
“Josh is such a truly genuine person. He always takes the time to say hello to everyone he meets. He gives without asking in return. We’re so proud to be able to honour Josh.”
After a small ceremony in the village, Dueck will be on hand for an autograph session and photos.
“It amazing the reaction people have when they can actually see and hold the medals. I look forward to sharing that experience with everyone at Silver Star,” Dueck said.
The event takes place 4 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at the centre of the village.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014