Special Olympics Canada athlete Alexander Pang has dedicated 18 years to figure skating. Over these years, Alexander has excelled, rising to the level of a Level 5 figure skater. Beyond his hard work and dedication, he credits a turning point in his career to his first encounter with the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® during Canada’s National Games in 2012.
At that time, Alexander was experiencing foot pain and imbalance, which negatively impacted his performance and well-being during practice and competitions. After attending the Fit Feet discipline of Healthy Athletes, Alexander was fitted for customized orthotics, which were then used to create customized insoles for his figure skates.
The results were transformative. With the new skate inserts, Alexander's stability in jumps and spins improved dramatically, and his skating abilities elevated almost immediately. These advancements paved the way for Alexander to attend his first World Games. Turin 2025 marks his fourth time competing on the global stage.
While watching Alex compete in the Level 5 final on Friday 14 March 2025, Alexander’s mother reflected on how far he has come in his balance through figure skating and the assistance of proper footwear. “When he was young, he couldn’t even walk in a straight line,” she shared. “We used to put tape around the house in a line to have him walk in a line. Then he finally found figure skating which was a key to [improving balance].”
Watching Alex on the ice, spinning, jumping, and even squatting on one foot with grace, while Team Canada supporters chant “Alex! Alex! Alex!”, you would never guess that balance was once a challenge for him. With a beaming smile throughout his entire routine, it’s evident, as his mother said, “He’s a true performer!”
While Alexander’s journey is inspiring, it is also emblematic of the experiences of many Special Olympics athletes. 56% of athletes who attend Healthy Athletes exhibit abnormal walking patterns, and 62% wear the wrong shoe size.
Following competition at the World Winter Games, Alex is skating home in comfort with a bronze and silver medal.
