Spirit overflows fieldhouse
There was no shortage of spirit inside the Cypress Centre fieldhouse on Friday night.
More than 1,000 people packed the building to officially kick off the Alberta Summer Games Special Olympics with an opening ceremony featuring live entertainment, uplifting messages and an appearance from Olympic gold medal-winning speed skater Catriona LeMay Doan. “You guys are an inspiration,” she
told the crowd, adding she brought her children to watch Alberta’s Special Olympic athletes compete. “Courage is something every one of us needs and you guys have an abundance. Every time we watch you compete, we learn from you guys.”
The ceremony opened with a parade of athletes from teams ranging across Alberta, as well as a guest squad from the Northwest Territories. The host Medicine Hat team entered the fieldhouse for a rousing ovation that brought the packed house to its feet.
“We’re here to celebrate all the commitment and dedication and sacrifice these athletes, their families, coaches and teammates have made to get here today,” said opening ceremonies emcee Trevor Moore, who entertained the crowd with some magic before turning the stage over to Calgary-based drumming group Midnight Taiko. “It’s a spectacular event for our community.”
Mayor Ted Clugston, Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes, MP Glen Motz and Medicine Hat MLA Robert Wanner, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Lois Mitchell and Special Olympics Alberta chair Wilma Shim each took the podium to share some inspiring words with the hopeful competitors.
“The 900 athletes competing this weekend represent over 3,100 athletes we have across Alberta and into the Northwest Territories. These athletes are practicing and competing every week in their communities and inviting us to be part of their world for the Special Olympics,” Shim told the crowd before speaking directly to the athletes. “Go out and show how amazing you are. I know that you’ve been counting down the days and this is your time to shine.”
The Special Olympics continue Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Athletics will be held at the Rotary Track, while basketball, bocce, powerlifting, soccer, softball and swimming will all be held at the Family Leisure Centre. Golf will take place at Connaught Golf Club and Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club, rhythmic gymnastics will be held at Crescent Heights High School and both 5-pin and 10-pin bowling are set for Panorama Lanes.