NWT speedskater chosen for Special Olympics world games

A 14-year-old Yellowknifer is heading to the Special Olympics World Winter Games as part of Canadas national team.

"I'm looking forward to it and I want to really go and I'm excited," said Cynthia Simmons.

The speedskater will be one of the youngest athletes on the team when she leaves for Pyeongchang, South Korea, next year but her coach Vincent Casey said she's ready.

"She puts a lot of work in to what she's doing," said Casey.

"She never gives up; she's always trying, she's always looking to improve herself. And one thing that she's always done very well since I started to coach her years ago is she has very good technique. She always stays nice and low."

Simmons practices four times a week.

"I do three times a week with the normal group and one day a week with special o."

She said she loves it for one reason.

"It's speed. It's speed inside."

Simmons hasalready won her fair share of medalsat the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Alberta she took home four silvers.