TIMMINS - A Timmins athlete will be seen across the country as part of a campaign for the Special Olympics.
Julia Romualdi has been figure skating since she was four years old. Her career as a Special Olympics athlete has taken her across the country and all over the world. Now, in a partnership with Tim Hortons, she’s the poster woman for the Special Olympics doughnut.
“I was chosen to be the ambassador for the Tim Hortons campaign,” she said. “I have tried the doughnuts, and they’re delicious.”
The campaign launches on Friday, Jan. 31 and runs until Feb. 2. All proceeds from the sale of the specialty doughnut will go to Special Olympics programs.
“It’s not just about the doughnuts. It’s about spreading awareness about the campaign and inclusions," said Romualdi, who has a video feature for the campaign along with being a model for it.
She can attest to the importance of those funds to athletes, their families, and their teams, as well as the importance of access to inclusive sports.
“The slogan for the campaign is choose to include,” she said. “It’s very important because all of the funds go to our equipment, training, and competing, and it also brings communities together.”
Inclusive sports, in particular, are a passion for Romualdi. She’s worked to bring inclusive sports programs to three high schools in Timmins, and the program is also expanding to elementary schools this school year.
“They’ve started getting other schools in Northern Ontario involved,” she said.
As word about inclusive sports spreads, Romualdi hopes everyone will see the value in inclusion.
“This is really important to start so that kids feel included,” said Karen Romualdi, Julia’s mother.
Romualdi has been skating for 25 years and has medalled in multiple events, including her first-ever provincial games when she was 11. She will also compete in the Ontario summer games as part of the soccer team this summer.
She is getting ready for a competition this weekend and hopes everyone who picks up a doughnut will remember the importance of inclusion.
“This is all about inclusion in sports and developing leadership roles,” she said.