SPECIAL OLYMPICS SUMMER GAMES IN HIGH GEAR

Special Olympics program brings athletes out of their shell

When Mark Tewksbury met her four years ago, she was extremely shy.

He remembered the Special Olympics’ athlete barely interacted with her coach.

So much has changed. During a VIP gathering Tuesday evening, prior to the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games on the St. F.X. campus, one of those signature smiles crossed his face as he reflected on meeting her earlier that day.

She ran to him, provided a bear hug and filled him in on what was happening with her.

“It truly changes peoples’ lives,” the Special Olympics Canada chairman said of the movement, which is celebrating its golden anniversary.

Tewksbury noted Special Olympics has that effect on more than 45,000 athletes across the country “365 days a year, and from coast to coast to coast.”

“They delight in each other’s accomplishments,” he said of the incredible athletes — more than 1,000 of which will compete this week.

Even with those successes, there is room to grow. Tewksbury said “only a small percentage” of people who could benefit from it are gaining access to the Special Olympics’ experience.

“It is truly transformative,” he added, reiterating what the movement has and can accomplish.

Tewksbury challenged people to share their enjoyment of the Games’ experience.

“We are the ones who benefit,” he said of what the athletes and their successes provide.

Another highlight of the reception came when Central Nova MP Sean Fraser acknowledged the effort of Dr. Frank Hayden — one of the pioneers of Special Olympics in Canada, which drew a rousing ovation.

“It is an absolute joy,” St. F.X. president Kent Macdonald said of the university’s opportunity to be part of the Games.

He added it was now time for “the light to shine on our athletes.”

It did just that a short time later at the Keating Centre on the Antigonish campus during the opening ceremony for the Games, which included the parade of teams and the lighting of the Special Olympics Cauldron with The Flame of Hope.

Competition in eight sports including athletics, bocce, basketball, golf, powerlifting, soccer, softball and swimming got underway Wednesday morning.

The Games wrap up Saturday.

COREY LEBLANC/SALTWIRE NETWORK Mark Tewksbury, a Canadian Olympic champion in swimming, is chairman of Special Olympics Canada. He spoke glowingly about the movement Tuesday evening prior to the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games on the St. F.X....

COREY LEBLANC/SALTWIRE NETWORK Participants in the Law Enforcement Torch Relay carry The Flame of Hope to the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games opening ceremony.

COREY LEBLANC/SALTWIRE NETWORK The Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games would not be successful without volunteers, such as, clockwise, from left, Melinda Butler, Janet Bowman, Caroline Fougere, Bernice Deon and Donald Fougere.

COREY LEBLANC/SALTWIRE NETWORK Blayre Turnbull of Stellarton, a member of the 2018 national women’s Olympic hockey team, was one of the special guests for a VIP reception prior to the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games’ opening ceremony at St. F.X. in Antigonish.

COREY LEBLANC/SALTWIRE NETWORK Bethany Theuerkauf, with her son, Samuel Sampson, and niece, Gracie Gordon, were among the visitors to the St. F.X. campus Tuesday evening.

COREY LEBLANC/SALTWIRE NETWORK Members of Team Ontario were all smiles Tuesday afternoon as they made their way across the St. F.X. campus during the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games.