Prince Albert’s Svenson wins gold, interviews Governor General at Special Olympics in Medicine Hat

“Interviewing the Governor General is a huge, huge honour,” Svenson said in an interview before his gold-medal game.

“I cannot describe the words to say, and just talking to her is just, she is such a nice person, down to earth.”

Svenson said the conversation left such an impression that he gave Simon a hug when the interview was over.

“She was just a genuine, nice person, and very, very kind,” Svenson said.

The interview was another highlight in a Games that ultimately ended with Svenson standing on top of the podium.

Svenson went undefeated in bocce, winning four competition games before advancing to the playoffs.

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(Image Credit: Courtesy/Taryn Svenson)

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He opened with a 12-0 win, followed by victories of 12-3, 13-2 and 12-3.

Svenson then beat Ontario’s Zachery Johnson 13-2 before defeating Nova Scotia’s Joseph Spence 14-3 in the semifinal.

That sent him into Saturday morning’s gold-medal game against B.C.’s Campese, where Svenson completed the perfect run with a 12-5 victory.

Before the final, Svenson said he was proud of how he had performed but admitted there were some nerves heading into the biggest game of his career.

“What I’m feeling right now is just honoured, proud, and very, very happy with how I’m doing,” Svenson said.

“To the gold medal game, it’s nerve-wracking, but every time I feel like that, I always do pretty well when I keep composed on myself.”

That confidence came from experience.

Svenson won gold at two Saskatchewan provincial competitions, including the summer games and the provincial summer games in Regina, earning his place at the national Games.

“I anticipated I was gonna do well because I was a Saskatchewan champ for the last two years in provincials,” Svenson said.

But bocce isn’t the only area where Svenson has been building experience.

Svenson got his start in broadcasting by announcing at hockey games, working the clock and scoresheet, helping in the penalty box and playing music.

That eventually grew into opportunities to do colour commentary and play-by-play for the Prince Albert Raiders, including calling a game on his own.

Svenson says he is considering pursuing broadcasting at the post-secondary level.

“Not too sure how the future’s gonna hold right now, but it’s definitely a consideration of doing that in the near future, going to school, get some testing done, and just do a little bit of broadcasting at school, for sure,” Svenson said.

Now, he has a gold medal to go along with the experience.

For Svenson, the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games have provided a national stage to compete, an opportunity to grow his broadcasting experience and a chance to meet people he never expected to interview.

And after an undefeated run through the bocce competition, he gets to leave Medicine Hat as a national champion.

Svenson’s interview with the Governor General can be found on the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games website.

by Jett Schwaier

Prince Albert’s Svenson wins gold, interviews Governor General at Special Olympics in Medicine Hat

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