Sherwood Park's Madison Bailey-Borges is one of three provincial athletes acting as ambassadors for the 2023 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games.
Bailey-Borges previously competed in the Provincial Summer Games in 2017 for golf, and also in the 2019 Provincial Winter Games in figure skating. She was even featured in the music video for the Avril Lavigne song Fly.
Her love for sports goes back to her youth.
"When I was four, my parents used to take me to the driving range and I hit lots of golf balls," Bailey-Borges said. "I love the outdoors."
This year's winter games will be taking place in Sherwood Park, Bailey-Borges' hometown.
"It's cool that the games will be in the community in which I live."
As an ambassador, it's Bailey-Borges' role to spread the word about the games in her community.
"What I am looking forward to the most is cheering on my friends and being an influencer and advocate for those with intellectual disabilities."
The two other ambassadors are Declan Fawcett from St. Albert and Evan James from Parkland County.
The winter games take place from February 24 to 26. Sports include curling, skiing, figure skating, floor hockey and even 5-pin bowling.