He had to take over 30 COVID-19 tests and follow a strict safety protocol, but Kamloops sports administrator Jan Antons says his time at the Beijing 2022 Paralympics was the experience of a lifetime.

“It was an amazing experience to see the games from that side. Once the final fireworks went off in the closing ceremony it was quite sad,” Antons told NL Sports.

The Kamloops resident was part of the Para Ice Hockey contingent, serving as the equipment controller for the tournament. It wasn’t his first Olympics but the first from an organizational or host standpoint.

Antons returned to Kamloops this week and is now adjusting to the 16-hour time change. He says the COVID-19 protocol also took some adjustment, but he’s already forward to the next Paralympic Games.

“Our hotel was right across from the rink, but we weren’t allowed to walk there,” he said. “We had to take a car but because of all the security and fencing put up, the ride took about 20 minutes instead of what would have been a two-minute walk.”

“This was the wind-up for the Para Ice Hockey Season. I’m hoping for 2026 in Italy and I’ll definitely work towards that.”

. @JanAntons is back in #Kamloops from the Beijing 2022 Paralympics after being the Equipment Controller for Para Ice-Hockey. “It was an amazing experience to see the games from that side. Once the final fireworks went off in the Closing Ceremony it was quite sad.” @RadioNLNews pic.twitter.com/Q0MFw8Qdo3

— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) March 17, 2022