Niagara-on-the-Lake alpine skier Carter Simpson, 31, is receiving a heartwarming send-off from his community as he heads to Italy for the 2025 Special Olympics World Games.
This weekend, Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa informed Simpson that digital signs at the community centre and downtown will display “Go Carter!” in support of him representing Team Canada at the Special Olympics.
The games will be taking place from March 8 to 16, with the events taking place in Turin, Italy.
Simpson’s mother, Ann Liz Simpson, said neighbours on John Street — dubbed the “John Street Gang” — have celebrated many of Simpson’s athletic victories in the past with backyard parties, custom banners and words of encouragement.
“Yesterday, the doorbell kept ringing. It was neighbours popping in, wanting to give him a good luck hug or a good luck charm to put in his pocket. Someone else brought him a cake. So he’s really soaking it all up,” Simpson said.
After winning gold in skiing for Team Ontario, Simpson qualified for nationals. Last summer, he was selected to join Team Canada. In Italy, he will compete in three alpine skiing events: Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G.
Simpson is a multi-sport athlete who trains six days weekly and competes in swimming, basketball, golf and track.
He balances alpine skiing at Glen Eden and Chicopee with spin classes, gym sessions and mental performance coaching.
“He’s given it everything he has. So whatever happens in Italy, going up against 105 countries, he’s ready,” Simpson said.
Simpson volunteers at Fritters-on-the-Lake and the NOTL library, both of which have been strong supporters of him.
Special Olympics Canada provided grief counselling after Simpson’s assigned coach, Mel Lavoie, died unexpectedly in November.
Lavoie, from Kitchener-Waterloo, had been a mentor to Simpson in competitions.
“Within 24 hours, Special Olympics Canada had a grief session put together for Carter and the two other athletes and fellow coaches, and they were able to do a tribute ceremony to coach Mel, and it just blew us away,” said Simpson.
A new coach, Carole Metron McMillan from London, Ontario, has stepped in. McMillan, who guided Simpson at nationals, has become a close friend.
“She’s been an amazing fit. She’s got a great personality, and it’s just so cool to see these athletes, how they connect to the coach and vice versa,” Simpson said.
The West Niagara Special Olympics Club hosted a pep rally at the end of February for Simpson and his fellow athlete on the West Niagara Grizzlies basketball team, Ewan Barclay, who is also headed to the Special Olympics. In November, she was named Team Ontario’s athlete of the year.
They were celebrated by more than 90 supporters, including neighbours from the John Street group, Simpson’s spin class and more community members.
“We had relatives come and horns and whistles and cowbells, and it was it was incredible,” Simpson said.
Carter Simpson’s younger brothers and family are boarding their flight this week and will cheer him on in Italy.
The races will be in Sestriere’s Vialattea Resort, about 101 kilometres southwest of Turin.
