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Canadian Statesman (Bowmanville, ON), 14 Feb 1990, p. 13

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> i I The Canadian Statesman, Bowman ville, February 14,1990 15 FOLLOW YOUR HEART GIVE WITH YOUR HEAD . HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION OF ONTARIO that saves more lives. Sponsored by these community-spirited businesses Stedmans 15 King St. W. Bowmanville 623-3155 J. Anderson Smith Co, Ltd. 97 King St. E., Newcastle 987-4721 Morris Funeral Chapel 4 Division Street Bowmanville 623-5480 R604BK apple realty ltd., realtor an independent member broker 0 ASSOCIATE PINERIDGE AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY Over 50 years Combined Experience in the Automotive Trade. 623-4461-62 19 Silver St., Bowmanville KOOL ENTERPRISES Domestic and Commercial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Bowmanville 623-3221 Oshawa 433-1283 Canadian Tire Corporation 160 Church St. 623-2518 Bowmanville dianna I. mandzuk sales representative 221 king street east oshawa. Ontario L1H 1C5 res (705) 277-2516 576-3111 to,onio 686-4743 Northcutt Elliott Funeral Home 53 Division Street Bowmanville 623-5668 Bowmanville Travel Centre 19 King Street West Bowmanville *-- 623-3182 s/m "sSE INSURANCE BROKERS ggÿggg ^PjfHE 181 Church St. Bowmanville 623-6100 Property Valuators & Consultants Real Estate Appraisers 29 Scugog St., Bowmanville 623-6023 257 Division St., Cobourg 372-3055 Gerr Construction Ltd. R.R. 3, Bowmanville Oshawa -- 436-2018 "Special Emphasis" oiK; World Class Athletes :j Wgm Freddie Williams is the #1 ranked 800 metre runner runner in Canada. Born and raised in South .Africa, Freddie Freddie has been on an emotional high since the recent developments developments in his homeland. Freddie also addressed students at Durham Christian High School during their special emphasis week. This year, sports was singled out as the topic for special emphasis at the high school. ÜOV vy-: M.-v-wy «'"'"■aw. ,5 ilk .. > . •' Av.iie , ,-V-. iU x... ,<• t Rob Snoek was a guest speaker at Durham Christian Christian High School during their special emphasis week. A former graduate of the school, Rob spoke about participating participating in disabled sports. people 1 I try t by Brad Kelly Rob Snoek and Freddie Williams are both world class athletes. But the events and competitions they enter are as different as their hometowns. Rob was raised in Orono and competes in Disabled Games. Freddie is the #1 ranked 800 metre 'man'in Canada, who was born and raised in South Africa. Both paid a visit to Durham Durham Christian High School on Monday, February 12, to discuss their personal experiences. experiences. Rob has had an artificial leg from the knee down since the age of one. This didn't stop him from participating participating in athletics as he played hockey and soccer as a youngster in Orono. When he attended Durham Christian Christian High School, he played soccer and badminton, and was a high jumper. Without knowing beforehand, beforehand, it's virtually impossible impossible to tell that Rob is an amputee. amputee. "I don't want to make ! feel uncomfortable, so try to wear baggy pants most of the time," he told a class of curious students, "Last year we were two- thirds of the way through the baseball season before some of my teammates found out." The biggest surprise for some of his teammates came at the awards banquet. "I won the MVP trophy and some of the guys wouldn't believe me when I told them about my leg. I ended up having to roll up my pant leg and knock on my leg to convince them." Rob has been training full time for the past week at York University in Toronto, Toronto, preparing to participate in Las Vegas next month.' and Holland, France ana New Brunswick in the summer. summer. Like many of the athletes athletes in Canada, Rob is in the market for a sponsor. Ho can't commit to training full time, and also hold down a job. "It would make life a lot easier if Mazda or Toshiba came along and said here's $10,000. For some reason it seems to bo harder to got sponsors after you turn 18." The war amps have just recently purchased a now limb for him to use in competitions. competitions. The Ilex-foot has an energy storage system made of graphite material. When the foot is compressed into Lho ground, it gives Rob more spring, "I know Lhoro is more speed in it," he said. "It's just a matter of training harder and ' getting the speed out of it." Rob's goal this year is to break four records, both the Ontario and Canadian in tlio long jump and 100 metro. metro. If ho can attain those goals, ho fools it will opon somo financial doors for him, and allow him. to compote compote at tlio 1902 Disabled i myseu living in a neighborhood, and 'aren't any white only ) be found." Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. Freddie Williams has a dream of competing for Canada Canada at the 1992 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, " Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Freddie began his successful track and field career at the age of 15 in high school. When he went to university, he was ostracized by his peers because because he trained in the mountains with the whites. After leaving university, Freddie was recruited by Jumbo Elliot of Villanova. Before he could pack his bags to leave, Jumbo passed away and Freddie was left at home. "I had some other schools recruit me, but they all said the same thing," Freddie told an interested classroom. "They all said that I could come over, and my wife and daughter could come over six months later. I always told them no way, we all come together." Luckily for Freddie, Ab- line Christian University brought him and his family over and offered him a track scholarship. Living in America whs not an easy way of life in the beginning. "The transition was .a tough one. For the first time I found myself living in a mixed there weren" signs to "With the time change, we were always awake at four in the morning, and ready for bed at seven in the evening." ', The recent release of Nel-j son Mandela has left Freddie Freddie with new optimism for his homeland. "It's a great feeling to see what has taken place in South Africa. I got tears ijn eyes and goose bumps ten I watched the events on the weekend. It's one giant stop in a victory foV the people of South Africa."! The freedom wo. have ip Canada is not taken for granted by Freddie. He predicts predicts that when he gets the opportunity to vote thnt ho will probably break down nnd cry because ho doosnk know what it's like to havo ft say in government decisions. Currently, Freddie is ranked M2 in the world in tho 800 metros. The making will improve ns ho gains more international exposure, exposure, but ho feels thnt his best bet for n modal in 1992 will bo in tho 1500 metres, bolter known ns tho metric mile. v To accomplish thnt, ho may have to take n year bf from Ills high school job as .a math teacher to train fu.11 time. Freddie uses somo inspirational inspirational words ho I'cccivod from his father for motivation. motivation. "My father always tol.il mo thnt all euccosslul living begins today. Yesterday is history, and you don't know what tomorrow will bring.";' Not badndvlco to live by. my wne

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