The 2015 North Bay Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games are set to begin in 20 days.
At a media conference on Friday morning, excited athletes listened as the 2015 Special Olympics Winter Games officials introduced the volunteer jerseys.
Special Olympics athlete, Carly Tucker will compete in the 100 and 200 metre races. “Colleen Saunders has been helping us in our daily training. We couldn’t snowshoe without the snow, so we were happy to see more snow.”
Games manager, North Bay Police Constable Merv Shantz calls the 2015 Special Olympics Games a great community event.
Shantz says this will be a very special competition for Special Olympian athletes. “They are inspirational.”
“I’m hoping there is a good turnout from the community to cheer on the athletes. We've got six different venues hosting all the competitions: Memorial Gardens, West Ferris, Clarion Resort, The Granite Club, The North Bay Nordic Ski Club, and the Laurentian Ski Hill.”
The event brings more than 500 athletes, coaches and families to North Bay. A welcoming supper and opening ceremonies are set for January 29, followed by two days of intense competition.
The athletes come from across the province to compete in six winter sports: Alpine Skiing, Curling, Figure Skating, Nordic Skiing, Snowshoeing and Speed Skating.
Shantz has been overwhelmed with offers from the community to support the Games.
“There's an abundance of volunteers. We were aiming to involve 500 volunteers but luckily ended up with 700 volunteers. We arranged it so that everyone who wanted to be involved can help out.”
In his speech to the conference, Mayor Al McDonald announced that he and his partner Wendy Abdallah support the Games financially by adopting an athlete. McDonald encourages others to do so.
Shantz is very pleased with the financial support from the community. “We were aiming to raise $405,000 dollars to put on the event. $355,000 dollars has been raised in cash. $200,000 has been raised for in-kind—gifts that local businesses have given. The total is about $555,000 dollars.”
Athlete Carly Tucker reminds us what the Special Olympics are all about. “It’s going to be fun. I wish everybody good luck in the Games.”
Click here for the schedule: http://www.specialolympics2015games.com/default.asp?ContentID=45
