On July 31, 174 athletes with intellectual disabilities, 54 coaches, and 16 mission staff members, representing 38 communities across British Columbia will be 100 per cent ready, willing and able to represent their province with pride, power and skill at the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Antigonish, N.S.
From then to Aug. 4, athletes will compete in athletics, basketball, bocce, golf, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, softball, and swimming.
The proud and excited Sunshine Coast participants are: coach Darren Lane and athlete Gus Vaughn in golf; athletes Amanda Boghean and Chris Walker in softball; and coach Cathy Verge and athletes Stephanie Rogers and Genny Verge in swimming.
Leslie Thornley, Team BC 2018 Chef de Mission, says, “Team BC athletes have been working very hard and we are excited to see them shine at the 2018 Special Olympics National Summer Games. They have been training with their local programs, working with sport-specific experts, and focusing on nutrition so they can be at their best for [these games]. We know they will do B.C. proud with their abilities and sportsmanship.”
All major Special Olympics competitions operate on a four-year cycle for both summer and winter sports. Athletes compete in regional events, then Provincial Games to advance to National Games. The Nationals are qualifiers for Special Olympics World Games. In Antigonish, athletes will compete for the opportunity to represent Canada at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi.
For more information, see www.specialolympics.bc.ca and find us on Facebook and Instagram @specialolympicsbc and Twitter @sobcsociety. And please visit our local website at www.specialolympicssunshinecoast.ca
