Now that his team has won gold for Canada in the pool at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games, Tyler Servant of Swift Current, Sask., says he would like to help young athletes one day as a coach.
Tyler was the first out of the blocks for the Canadians in the men’s 4x50m medley relay in Berlin on Friday, in the backstroke.
He and teammates Caleb Lake, Jesse Canney and Christopher Innes mostly trailed in second and third place for most of the race, but the team took the lead in time for a thrilling win over second-place Denmark and the Germany at the third.
“We knew the race was going to be very close, and she lived up to that hype,” coach Jackie Powell told CBC News in an interview on Sunday, the final day of the Games.
“It came down to the last few strokes and everyone did their part, and it was just amazing. The stands were just erupting.”
Because he was the first out of line, Servant said he knew he had to set the tone and then “It was good to see the race” because he could cheer on his teammates.
“It was pretty exciting and I was pretty happy… Everyone swam well, but for the four of us it was just another day at the office.”
Aim to help others
Servant was involved in the Special Olympics for a decade and also complemented bowling and baseball. He was asked about his future in competitive swimming.
“I will still keep coming [back to] swimming, but my goal is to become a coach… for young athletes, helping them and making them feel at home.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a pool, bowling alley or anywhere, I just make sure the young athletes come out and enjoy what I enjoy.”