Missing the PanAm and ParaPanAm Games? Can’t wait for Rio 2016?
Guelph’s got your Sports action and your source of inspiration covered with Special Olympics Ontario’s 2016 Provincial Spring Games.
From May 26 to 28, more than 900 athletes and coaches from across Ontario, their families and 600 volunteers will make this three-day, six-sport event the largest provincial Special Olympics Spring Games to date.
Featured Sports will include swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, power lifting, basketball, five-pin bowling and 10-pin bowling.
Special Olympics promote healthy, active and connected lifestyles for people with intellectual disabilities.
The games provide an introduction to sport and physical activity, offer daily training, local competition and the opportunity to participate in high-performance competition. These provincial, national and world games offer transformative experiences that bring out pride, courage and joy in athletes, officials say.
Guelph Police are proud to host the 2016 Special Olympics Spring Games.
“The Guelph Police Service has been a proud member of the Law Enforcement Torch Run since its inception in 1987,” said police chief Jeff DeRuyter. “The Torch Run is Special Olympics’ largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. It’s an event where officers and Special Olympics athletes run the Flame of Hope to the opening ceremonies of Special Olympics competitions. Now the Special Olympics flame and the Games are coming to Guelph.”
For communities, Special Olympics prove human greatness is more about the spirit than the body, officials say, adding the games inspire families and entire communities to join the celebration. The economic returns of an event this size and community profile provincially are also significant.
Led by the Guelph Police Service, in partnership with the City of Guelph, the University of Guelph and local organizations, the games require significant community collaboration for events leading up to and including the three-day event. Mayor Cam Guthrie is confident the games will be an opportunity for the athletes and the city to shine.
“Whether you’re an athlete, or a volunteering, or a visitor to our city, we guarantee you will have a fantastic time because we are preparing our city to welcome you in the best possible way,” said Guthrie.
