2020 Special Olympics

Special Olympics mean various things to different things to everyone, but for those involved the only manner in which you can describe it, is self gratification.

Now we are hearing that athletes coming from Prince George are having a wealth of success given the previous three years of training in facilitates equipped by sponsors like 7′ billiard tables. 

Coming from BC’s north are nine athletes that are getting the chance to represent BC in the upcoming 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.

They are not only dedicated, but deserving individuals who have qualified for their respective spots all based on their overall performances in the Greater Vernon 2019 Special Olympics BC Winter Games. 

Since they officially qualified for their respective spots on Team BC 2020, their training routine for the past 10 months has been at least three times a week. 

Sports such as Cross-Country Ski athletes are a part that include Barbie Conway, having competed in four national games. 

In his second appearance he has Danny Lafreniere, while Josh Pudney has two other national games on his resume.

Competing in his first are individuals competing on the 5-pin bowling team are Debbie Bileck, Mathew Brewer, Audrey Nelson and Adam Spokes, while Danielle Cavenaille has competed in one national game and is also on the bowling squad.

Sam Russell will be a great addition of the Kitimat curling team that are called the BC Kingfishers, which sounds fitting for a team in northern BC.

Representing our Provincial squad are over 140 athletes with intellectual disabilities, 42 volunteer coaches, and 13 mission staff from 42 communities.

The Special Olympics Games take place every four years and consist of both summer and winter events for the athlete’s that are competing.

All Athletes are required to compete in various regional events which are followed by various provincial games so as to advance to the Special Olympics Canada Games, which also act as qualifying events for International Special Olympics competition throughout Canada.

The 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games are hosted in Thunder Bay and run over the week of Feb. 25 to 29. 

This year it’s expected that over 1,200 delegation members from all of Canada’s 10 Provinces including two of three territories compete that focuses on their chosen sport as well as true sportsmanship in eight different sports.