Mike Reitmeier
Speed Skating Athlete - Inducted 1994
Mike Reitmeier started skating at the age of four. He was too small for hockey so, he began speed skating in 1986. Racing in his hockey skates, he won the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m events, which qualified him for the 1986 Alberta Special Olympics when he won four gold medals. He joined the Red Deer Central Lions Speed Skating Club soon afterward, where he made the initial and awkward adjustment to speed states. He won four gold medals at the 1988 Alberta Special Olympics; three gold medals at the 1988 Canadian Special Olympic Winter Games; three gold medals at the 1989 International Special Olympic Winter Games; and, one gold at the 1991 and 1992 Canadian National competitions consecutively. Winning at the 1992 Canadian Special Olympic Winter Games qualified Mike Reitmeier to skate at the World Special Olympic Winter Games where he set a world record pace winning gold in the 800m, 1000m, and 1500m races.
After Induction
Mike continued to compete at both the Winter and Summer Canada Special Olympic Games and at the Special World Olympic Winter Games. He won medals in speed skating and competed for Team Alberta in softball at the Canada Special Olympic Summer Games. From 1995 to 2001 Mike won 29 Gold, 10 Silver, and 4 Bronze medals at Special Olympics events and generic competitions. He was also a coach for the Central Lions Speed Skating Club. Prior to speed skating, Mike was involved in five-pin and 10-pin bowling, and then he started curling and got involved in hockey and speed skating.
1988 - Canadian Special Olympics (New Brunswick) - 3 gold
1992 - Canadian Special Olympics (Saskatoon) - 3 gold
1989 - Special World Olympic Winter Games (Reno, USA) - 3 gold - gold - 500 metre - gold - 800 metre - gold - 1000 metre
1993 - Special World Olympic Winter Games (Austria) - 3 gold
1996 - Canadian Special Olympics (Calgary) - three gold
1997 - Special World Olympic Winter Games (Toronto) - gold - 777 metre - gold - 1500 metre - bronze - 1000 metre
2000- Canadian National Special Olympics Winter Games - Ottawa - gold - 777 metre - gold - 1000 metre - gold - 3000 metre
2001 - Special Olympics World Winter Games - Anchorage, Alaska - There were over 80 countries and more than 2000 athletes at these games. There were 177 Speed Skaters competing, eight from Canada. Mike skated in the advanced ability category. - silver - 777 metre - silver - 1000 metre
2004 - Special Olympics - Charlottetown, PEI. Mike won a medal in every event he was entered in. - bronze - 777 metre - silver - 1000 metre - silver - 1500 metre - gold - 500 metre
Awards & Honours
1989-1991 - Most Dedicated Skater - Red Deer Lions Central Speed Skating Club
1989/90 - Most Outstanding Skater - RDLCSSC
1990/91 - Skater of the Year
1990 - Alberta Achievement Award Winner
1990 - Mayor's Recognition Award
1994 - Alberta Sports Hall of Fame inductee
1996 - Alberta Special Olympics male athlete of the year
2003 - Golden Jubilee medal
