Placentia celebrates after Peter Hynes wins bronze at Special Olympics World Games

Peter Hynes received a hero's welcome in his hometown of Placentia on Sunday, fresh off a bronze medal win at the Special Olympics World Games in the United Arab Emirates.

The 15-year-old athlete for Team Canada landed in Newfoundland and Labrador early Sunday morning after a whirlwind month spent in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

On March 16, he wona bronze medal in his division in themini javelin event, and laterplaced fifth in the 100-metre run.

For Hynes, the trip to the U.A.E. was a chance to show the world his talents.

"That made me feel great," he said on Sunday. "I feel proud of myself."

He got to the U.A.E.a full week before his parents Jane and Rod Hynesarrived, getting to bond with his teammates and explore his new surroundings.

"It was just a great learning experience," said Rod Hynes."There's so much to see, so much to take in and process."

Proud parents

Rod is one of Peter's coachesin Placentia, but passed the torch to the Team Canada volunteers for the Games, and cheered him on from the sidelines this time around.

"That was the highlight. To actually see Pete out on the track getting prepared in his warmups, and being led by some new coaching within the team, who I'd never met before," he said.

Peter qualified for Team Canada after winning medals in both the provincial and national Special Olympics.

He started competing three years ago when a chapter of the Special Olympics was created in Placentia.

"You should check us out. There's actually quite a diverse group of people involved from the young ages of 14," said Rod Hynes,"right up to 65 years old."

On Sunday, the town was planning to welcome him back witha motorcade celebrating his arrival and a meet and greet at the town'sarts centre.

Later this week, he'll head back to school, but he's already got his sights set on the future.

"I'm gonna keep training and stay healthy," he said.

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