Briana Shymanski/Rocky View Publishing

Super Swimmer Alex has been named the Special Olympics athlete of the month for January. Alex is in his first year with the SO swim program and he also plays floor hockey and softball. He is also involved with Scouts.

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New swimmer named Special Olympics' athlete of the month

Airdrie resident Alex has been named the Special Olympics (SO) athlete of the month for January.

A multi-sport athlete, Alex has been with SO for three years. He plays softball in the summer, floor hockey in the winter and is trying his hand at swimming this year. Hockey of any kind, whether it’s watching on TV or playing shinny, is his favourite sport “because the Flames are playing,” he said. Flames goaltender Miika Kiprusoff is his favourite player.

While it is Alex’s first year with SO swimming, his coach, Tammy Hnatiuk, said he’s already made great strides and improvements.

“He used to not be able to swim from one end of the pool to the other without stopping three times,” she said. “He is getting better. He definitely likes swimming better when he’s moving.”

Alex’s favourite part about swimming? Sitting in the hot tub before getting in the pool, he said.

Alex’s father, Mike, said the sports Alex does with SO keeps him active and teaches him life skills.

Alex is also involved with Airdrie Scouts, which does a lot of canoeing and kayaking, so being able to swim is an important skill for him to learn, Mike said.

“He gets out with his peers,” Mike added.

“You get the basics of any sport, so it’s all beneficial for him.”