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Lethbridge teen to compete in Youth Olympic Games triathlon

Oct 1, 2018 | 12:22 PM

LETHBRIDGE – At the age of four, Solen Wood went before a classroom of older children – a grade one class – and asked if anyone would join a triathlon team with him.

Even then, the Chinook High School student knew the triathlon was for him. By the age of 11, he competed in his first solo triathlon, an event that combines cycling, running, and swimming. He’s now on his way to Buenos Aires, Argentina for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

“First off, I’m just there to enjoy it, a pretty crazy experience,” the grade 12 student said Monday, Oct. 1. “I feel like my training’s put me in a spot where I can be competitive and see what happens from there.”

Wood was selected by the Canadian Olympic Committee following a qualifier in Salinas, Ecuador. He said he loves pushing myself to compete in three disciplines, even though it’s a lot of extra effort, especially balancing training with school.

“The school’s been really great with letting me move schedules, and same with teachers and missing so much school,” he explained. “(My dad) helps me out a lot with different things and my whole family, my sister helps me out with work and same with my mom.”

His father is also his principal. Kevin Wood and the rest of the family will be in Buenos Aires to cheer Solen on during the competition, Oct. 7-11. Wood said triathlon’s been in his son’s blood, to the point where he gave up on indoor soccer in grade three to focus on his swimming.

Kevin Wood said he admires Solen’s dedication.

“There’s lots that he gives up in his life to have made it, to do this, and will keep going. But to balance his studies, to balance training, to balance other responsibilities, I’m in awe of how he’s done it.”