SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Peter Hynes

Honourable senators, today I am pleased to present Chapter 60 of Telling Our Story.

This afternoon, colleagues, I have the honour to tell you about another amazing young Newfoundlander and Labradorian. Peter Hynes was a proud participant in the 109-member Canadian team that competed from March 14th to the 21st at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.

Peter is just 15 years old and is from Jerseyside in the town of Placentia. The Special Olympics Placentia Lions team was formed just a few years ago in 2015. Peter has been a member of the team for the past three years. He attended his first Provincial Games in 2017 and since that time has won several medals at both the provincial and federal levels. Peter’s sports include athletics, soccer, basketball, bocce and swimming. He says that the Special Olympics has helped him run faster, jump farther and throw longer.

This young man earned his berth on Canada’s track and field team as a result of his performance at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games held in Antigonish, Nova Scotia last August. Peter was the only athlete to represent Newfoundland and Labrador at this year’s World Games.

Trish Williams, who serves as the Executive Director of Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador, said they were really proud and excited for Peter to have the opportunity to participate at the World Games. Ms. Williams went on to say, “The world games are important because they bring attention to the talents and capabilities of people with an intellectual disability, helping to change attitudes and break down the barriers that can exclude them from full participation in their communities.”

On March 16, Peter competed in the M01 mini javelin event and won the bronze medal for Team Canada and later placed fifth in the 100-metre run. Afterwards Peter said, “That made me feel really great. I feel proud of myself.” Indeed, he should be. Peter’s parents, Rod and Jane Hynes, are very proud of their son’s magnificent accomplishment and are to be commended for their continued support of Peter and the Special Olympics program. Rod is one of Peter’s coaches with the team in Placentia and said that participating in the World Games was a great learning experience for Peter and his family.

After a whirlwind month in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and proudly wearing his Olympic bronze medal, Peter returned home to Newfoundland and Labrador where he received a hero’s welcome in his hometown of Placentia. A motorcade made its way to the town hall where a reception was held in Peter’s honour. The young boy from Placentia had made his mark on the world stage and made his community, province and the entire country proud. It was a time to celebrate the hard work, commitment, passion and, most important of all, it was a time to celebrate inclusion.

Peter has shown us all that anything is possible when you put your heart and soul into it and believe in yourself. I want to congratulate Peter’s parents, his coaches and all those who were involved in making this inspiring story a reality. A special thank you to Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador for their untiring efforts to foster, support and include Peter and so many others.

As Peter settled back into his school year he said his goal was to keep training and stay healthy. I believe that we have not heard the last of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Special Olympics champion. We await to see what happens next. Congratulations, Peter Hynes. Job well done! Thank you.