We reported on the exceptional ability of all the Athletes attending the 2017 World Games that attended from Canada which included BC and in a recent press release by  Special Olympic VP Lois McNary she tells the media “We are very proud of this province’s members of Special Olympics Team Canada 2017.”

She continued “They trained so hard to be able to perform at their best on the world stage, and they showed such inspiring dedication, sportsmanship, and skill,”

The World Games wrapped up in the events in Austria with many of BC’s Athletes returning home Sunday March 26th, so if you’re around make plans to attend Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and welcome home our Athletes.

The finale concluded with a speech from games Ambassador Arnold Schwarzenegger followed by a dazzling display of fireworks over the sky in Graz.

The big showdown at the Liebenau stadium was characterized by what some describe as “electric energy” with more than 15.000 wanting to watch the event so another audience sector was added on the Thursday.

The show lasted about an hour and a half and offered a mix of Styrian elements, and energetic international dance and acrobatics performances, for example by artists of the Cirque du Soleil or world champion in dancing Louis van Amstel as mentioned on the official website.

The motto for this years Special Olympics World Games was “Heartbeat for the world“ which worldwide largest winter sports event for people with mental impairments.

In total there were more than 2600 athletes from 105 nations, 1100 trainer, 5000 family members, 3000 volunteers and 600 journalists and media representatives at the eight days of competition that resulted in about 1000 medals.

The World Winter Games were the initial impulse for a new culture of exchange which was characterized by openness, warmth and by working together instead of against each other.

This was also easily seen even before the competitions began: with the Torch Run and the enthusiastic realization of the Host Town program in the whole of Austria.

The people realizing and participating in both programs were significantly responsible for the more than a thousand people who witnessed the competitions as well as the award ceremonies and therefore were responsible for those countless moments of heart-warming emotions as well as the exuberant atmosphere at all the venues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECRHX6ugEOE