When 91原创 runner Michael Savage settled in at the starting line during the 2014 BC Summer Games, he had just three months of formal training behind his belt.
The 20-year-old, surrounded by athletes with years more practice on the track, didn鈥檛 even use a starting block like many other competitors.
It would be hard to tell looking at the final results from the July 17 to 20 Special Olympics division at the Games in Nanaimo. Michael, who is autistic, took home five gold medals, earning a spot on top of the podium in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 4x100m relay events. In one race he beat his nearest opponent by a full three seconds, Michael鈥檚 dad Mike told The Times.
The 鈥渄ominant鈥� performance came as no surprise to his parents.
鈥淗e鈥檚 been running for years, anytime he gets frustrated,鈥� said Mike, explaining that Michael would escape to the family鈥檚 two acre yard when he had problems communicating, always coming back feeling better with barely a bead of sweat on his forehead.
鈥淗e would run what seemed like miles, like Forrest Gump.鈥�
Michael鈥檚 younger brother Alexander has a passion for track and field too, and after taking gold in midget (16 and under) long jump last year at the Legion Canadian track and field championships, Michael wanted to earn some medals of his own.
But that鈥檚 not the only thing that motivates him, according to Michael himself.
鈥淎lways be humble, and be super fun and believe in yourself,鈥� he said while practicing his best impression of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt鈥檚 famous Olympic win pose.
Michael said he鈥檇 like to keep running competitively, and enjoys making new friends at events.
鈥淭he scary part about it is that he鈥檚 raw,鈥� said his dad. 鈥淚f he has professional coaches this boy is going to be setting records.鈥�
Mike said his son doesn鈥檛 worry about his competition, and although Michael may be 鈥渁ll business when the gun goes off,鈥� there are always plenty of smiles, hugs and congratulations for his competitors post-race.
鈥淢ichael doesn鈥檛 like to lose, just like the rest of us,鈥� he said, adding that he was impressed with how easily coachable his son was once he kicked off official training for the Summer Games at Bear Creek Park three months ago.
Aside from the track Michael loves cartoons. He brings that fun attitude to his training, imagining himself as his running alter-ego, the 鈥淪uper Sonic Roadrunner,鈥� said Mike.
Mike is confident his son has the talent and drive to allow him to work towards representing Canada in national and international Special Olympic competitions. There is no question about Michael being able to handle the pressure, he added.
鈥淚f there鈥檚 a task at hand, that鈥檚 all he鈥檒l think about.鈥�
