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An Olds swimmer may be on her way to Greece next summer to compete against the world’s best Special Olympic athletes.

Over the next coming months, Special Olympic officials will select the top athletes from national competitions to go to the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens.

Nicole Palardy is in contention for a spot after having achieved a gold and two silver medals at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games held in Ontario July 13 – 17.

Her parents Joan and John Palardy said their daughter is on a high right now and counts the days to the worlds event.

“We are very proud of her accomplishments. She has worked very hard for many years to get to this pint. We view Special Olympics as a wonderful opportunity for her to stay fit as well as to develop some special friendships,” said her parents in an email detailing her daughter’s accomplishments.

Nicole competed in four events at nationals with impressive results, obtaining best times in three of her four races.

She won gold in the 400 m Freestyle (Division 2), silver in the 200 m Freestyle (Division 2), and another silver in the 100 m Breaststroke (Division 3).

She also placed sixth in the 100 m Individual medley (Division 1).

Palardy only swims the longer events which are demanding and require pacing and endurance skills beyond simple proficiency in each of the strokes.

Competition at the national level was strong.

Provinces sent their provincial champions to the national games with over 1,400 athletes competing in eight events.

Five bowlers from Olds also competed in nationals in the five-pin bowling event.

Coached by local Karen Mengersen, the local contingent included Karen Bystrom, Mike Dougan, Barry Robb, Tyler Slack and Doug Tiedeman.

“I was quite proud of my five athletes,” she said.

Mengersen said while two team members did come back with medals for points over average, the team’s placing out of the top five in their division was not a disappointment.

“Our gold medal was getting there. This was about doing their best, cheering each other on, and making friends,” Mengersen said.

Robb earned a gold medal for singles points over average and Dougan brought home a bronze.

Mengersen said the highlight of the trip for the athletes was watching TV personality Don Cherry lead the Special Olympic athletes in the Athletes Oath during the opening ceremonies.

Personally, Mengersen said the highlight of the games was the family atmosphere that surrounded them while they were there and how helpful staff was.

Special Olympics Canada, a program within the worldwide movement, is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport.

It is a national not-for-profit grassroots organization that provides sport training and competition opportunities for more than 32,000 athletes of all ages and abilities.