Ron Greenhorn (right) and his mother Doris (left) celebrate at Nanaimo Airport on Tuesday, March 18 as Greenhorn returned home from the Special Olympics World Games in Italy. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

slalom skills

‘Holy smokes:’ Nanaimo athlete given hero’s welcome after World Games medal win

Mar 19, 2025 | 6:07 PM

NANAIMO — Ron Greenhorn was carrying a little extra luggage when he got off his plane at Nanaimo Airport on Tuesday, a bronze medal around his neck.

Greenhorn earned it at the 2025 Special Olympics World Games in Turin, Italy, held between March 8 to 15, where he competed in several adaptive skiing events.

His medal came in the Intermediate Giant Slalom final on Wednesday, March 12, making the podium with a time of 1:23.500.

“We get to assemble in the very end, and they told us it was a tie, I was like ‘holy smokes’,” Greenhorn told NanaimoNewsNOW. “I was like, ‘I thought it was a good race. I thought it was actually my favorite races.”

A group of friends and supporters welcomed Ron Greenhorn home at Nanaimo Airport on Tuesday. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

important health equipment

Oceanside Health Centre fundraising to replace essential 'Vital Signs' monitors

40m ago

naniamo performance

'These children deserve every opportunity:' African Children's Choir funding education through song

11h ago

serious allegations

Civil suit alleges 'culture of intimidation and hostility' at Gabriola fire department

15h ago

Greenhorn also competed in the Intermediate Slalom, finishing fourth, and the Super G where he placed seventh.

The 40-year-old Nanaimo resident said the experience in Turin was amazing, albeit a little challenging with some linguistic struggles with Games volunteers who all spoke Italian.

Training for the games came largely from twice-per-week sessions on Mount Washington, along with a pre-Games stint, skiing in Montreal and Calgary.

While he was the only competitor from Vancouver Island, Greenhorn said he was far from alone.

“With Canada team, I know some of my friends, we actually were in room together. It was cool experience, got to hang out with them. We helped each other, even with packing.”

Part of a group welcoming Greenhorn home at Nanaimo Airport on Tuesday, March 18, was his mother Doris Montgomery.

She travelled to Italy to cheer on her son in person.

“It was such a such a joy. He’s up against all these huge competitors and this is his first World Games, and he’s worked really hard to get where he’s at.”

She said Greenhorn got hooked by skiing at a very young age.

“It’s always been his number one sport. He got started when he was just in school, about 10 or so, and he couldn’t do much. As we’re sitting there, we see two instructors come with this individual in between these bars. I happened to approach them and that’s what got Ron started an adaptive ski program.”

The B.C. contingent of athletes at the games saw 22 athletes and 13 support volunteers attend, bringing home 29 medals from the event.

Ron’s mother Doris was able to travel to Italy to watch her son compete in person. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Follow us on Facebook. Join Everything Nanaimo on Facebook and stay connected with everything happening on central Vancouver Island.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook