Whitehorse Daily Star

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PROUD MOMENT – Whitehorse runner Darby McIntyre bites into his gold medal after winning the 5,000-metre race Friday at the 2015 World Summer Games in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of SERGE MICHAUD

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GREETING A CHAMPION – Special Olympics Yukon executive director Serge Michaud high-fives Darby McIntyre after his gold medal-winning run on Friday. Photo courtesy of SPECIAL OLYMPICS CANADA

McIntyre blazes to medals at worlds

Special Olympic runner Darby McIntyre is coming home from the 2015 World Summer Games in Los Angeles with two medals in his pocket.

By Marcel Vander Wier on August 3, 2015

Special Olympic runner Darby McIntyre is coming home from the 2015 World Summer Games in Los Angeles with two medals in his pocket.

A day after claiming gold for Canada in the 5,000-metre run on Friday, the 15-year-old earned a bronze in the 1,500-m race.

McIntyre was the lone Yukoner competing at the world championships, which concluded yesterday. He was also the youngest member of 115-member Team Canada.

McIntyre said the gold medal win was more than he dreamed of and was easily a career highlight.

“I wanted to try (for gold), but I didn’t think it was possible,” he told the Star Saturday afternoon. “I felt quite energetic and quite strong. It was exciting to win. Doing that is like beating the whole world.”

McIntyre ran the five-kilometre run in 18:36, not quite a career-best, but good enough for gold.

The youngster was supported by a large troupe of relatives and friends and said winning in front of them “makes it that much better.”

His supporters wore T-shirts sporting the youngster’s artwork and the catchphrase: Darby never gets McIn-tired.

On Saturday, McIntyre came from behind to claim bronze in the 1,500-m event, setting a personal-best time of 4:52.

In last for most of the race, he turned it on late, making up half a lap on the third- and fourth-place runners before eventually overtaking them both for a second straight podium finish.

Reached in L.A. this morning, Jerome McIntyre’s voice cracked when he discussed his son’s latest accomplishments.

“When he was diagnosed with autism (at age three), we didn’t think he’d play any sports,” he said. “We’re really proud of him.”

Jerome McIntyre said his son headed to L.A. with certain goals in mind, one of which was finishing as Canada’s top five-km runner.

He did just that.

“We were incredibly impressed,” Jerome McIntyre admitted.

Following qualifying runs earlier in the week, Darby McIntyre was seeded in the Div. 2 five-km final and the fourth of 11 divisions for the 1,500-m race.

“We weren’t sure what was going to happen in his main race Friday, but he ran a perfect textbook race,” his father said.

He pulled away early and held off a late charge by the eventual silver medallist to claim his gold.

Following Darby McIntyre’s gold medal victory, congratulations began pouring in on social media.

“Congrats to Darby McIntyre!” tweeted Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski. “So proud.”

Yukon MP Ryan Leef also chimed in, calling McIntyre’s time “fantastic” and lauding him for a “gutsy effort.”

Canada finished with 144 medals in total (71 gold, 47 silver, 26 bronze), thanks in part to the Yukon Flash.

Darby McIntyre returns to Whitehorse tonight, and a small crowd is expected to welcome him at the local airport at 9:21 p.m.

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