SPECIAL OLYMPIANS GEAR UP FOR ANTIGONISH
The eyes of the nation will be upon the Highland Heart of Nova Scotia this summer.
The Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games will take centre stage, July 31 to Aug. 4, in Antigonish.
The Games will welcome more than 900 athletes — from all 12 territorial chapters — along with 600 volunteers and thousands of fans.
Athletes will compete in nine sports: track and field, basketball, soccer, softball, bocce, golf, rhythmic gymnastics, powerlifting and swimming.
With just more than 60 days remaining until the opening ceremonies on the St. Francis Xavier University campus, the Games’ co-chairs, Marc Champoux and Carl Chisholm, provided an update on preparations for the national showcase.
“Things are falling into place; the committees have everything well under control,” Champoux said.
Chisholm said there has been tremendous response to the call for volunteers.
“We have approximately 700, but to make it easier on everyone – the more, the merrier,” he said.
The deadline for volunteers to register is June 5, which is needed
to provide ample time to order Tshirts and other items.
“We want to make sure that we have the right sizes for everybody and the right colours, depending on which event they are helping out with,” Chisholm said.
Like the athletes, volunteers are coming from across Canada.
“I went through the list the day before yesterday and there are people coming from B. C. right through to Newfoundland,” Chisholm said, noting organizers expect representation from every province.
“Obviously, it is truly a national
event,” he added.
On the financial side, response has also been strong, including corporate and government support.
“Our budget, I think, originally we set out at $2.2 million and, right now, we are at $1.92 million,” Chisholm said.
“Starting next week, we are going to be hitting the local businesses in Antigonish town and county and every little bit will help us reach our goal. We are hoping we will get support from the local community, as well.
“There is going to be a lot of
people; the town and county will be a vibrant place over those five days so we are hoping that everyone will give a little bit back because, certainly, the restaurants, motels, shops and stores, we expect everybody to be busy during that period,” he added.
Champoux agreed the excitement is building for the celebration, including its start.
“The opening ceremonies will be something, I think, the Special Olympic Games have not seen before. I am more excited about that than I can tell you; it is going to be fantastic,” Champoux said.