Team Alberta Wins 119 Medals and our Hearts

Team Alberta golfer, Paul Oldridge
Team Alberta golfer, Paul Oldridge

MEDIA RELEASE

Team Alberta Wins 119 Medals and our Hearts

 

EDMONTON, AB, August 10, 2018- Athletes from Special Olympics Alberta proudly represented their province at the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games playing their hearts out and winning ours in the process.

The Games officially concluded with the Closing Ceremonies on August 5 after a week-long competition in Antigonish, Nova Scotia that featured over 1000 athletes and 300 coaches and mission staff making the trip out East.

Athletes from across Canada competed in nine summer sports (athletics, basketball, bocce, golf, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, softball and swimming) between July 31 and August 5.

Team Alberta consisted of 101 athletes and 43 coaches and mission staff from 27 different communities. Our athletes caught fire early in the Games and their play stayed hot throughout the week, as they were able to walk away earning personal bests, everlasting memories, and 119 medals total.

43 GOLD | 47 SILVER | 29 BRONZE

Check out our full results.

While we are certainly proud of our athletes’ achievements, it was their sportsmanship and spirit that distinguishes this group.

“Team Alberta this year was a remarkable group of athletes,” said Team Manager Riley McCaig. “From motivating athletes from other provinces to try their best to sharing moments of comradery – it was a truly special event.”
Evan James
Team Alberta pentathlete, Evan James

Sportsmanship and spirit were defining characteristics that were displayed throughout Nationals and could be summarized through Team Alberta pentathlete, Evan James.

James was unable to compete due to an injury, but nonetheless still made the trip out East to support his teammates. In Antigonish he painted his nails blue, Team Alberta's colour, and showed up to cheer on athletes from every sport – even coining the phrase “we’re ‘nailing’ it!”

Team Alberta athletes all shared this mentality and were there to support each other at their respective events when they were not practicing or competing.

Our athletes had a busy week, but they were able to dive into the East Coast lifestyle. The team took a trip to Crystal Cliffs where they got to dip their toes into the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy a mussel bake.

Check out our other press releases for all the details from our week in Nova Scotia:

August 1 | August 2 | August 3

“It is always incredible to witness our athletes compete to the best of their ability and performing on the National stage allows them to showcase their abilities,” said Team Alberta Chef de Mission Jill Moore. “We had an amazing group of athletes, coaches, and mission staff for Team Alberta and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience in Antigonish.”

Announcements for Team Canada will be made in a few weeks, so stay tuned to find out which Alberta athletes will compete at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Team Alberta thanks the amazing Summer Games Organizing Committee, volunteers, health practitioners, and hosts in Antigonish. We had a wonderful time, received a taste of the East Coast, and felt very welcomed by our hosts! Thank you!

Find all of our photos on the Special Olympics Alberta Flickr account: https://www.flickr.com/photos/122783544@N05/albums and the Special Olympics Canada Flickr account: https://www.flickr.com/photos/92082000@N03/albums

You can recap the action of the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games at www.so2018.specialolympicsns.ca and on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @SpecialO2018, #SpecialO2018 and #SO2018. For Team Alberta results and stories, go to www.specialolympics.ca/2018-team-alberta. Photos and videos can be found on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @SpecialOAlberta #SOTeamAB18.

Special Olympics Team Alberta

Team Alberta is represented by 148 athletes and 54 coaches and mission staff who will be competing at the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Bowling Championships in P.E.I and 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Team Alberta bowlers completed their competition in P.E.I. May 15 to 20 and came home with 13 gold, 13 silver and 14 bronze. Team Alberta members competing in athletics, basketball, bocce, golf, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, softball, and swimming will take part in the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games from July 31 to August 4.

Team Alberta represents 27 communities across the province, with athletes who are as young as 14 and as old as 62. Team Alberta is built on the values of ability, courage, humility, integrity, empowerment, value and effort. Each member has committed to train to the best of their abilities and to perform their personal best.

For more information and a full rooster of Team Alberta members, go to www.specialolympics.ca/2018-team-alberta

2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games

The Special Olympics Canada Summer and Winter Games started in 1974 and are national multi-sport Games for athletes with an intellectual disability. Over 45,000 athletes compete in training and competitions all across Canada supported by over 21,000 volunteers. It is the country’s largest multi-sport event for people with intellectual disabilities and provides our athletes with a development and competitive opportunity that prepares and qualifies them for Special Olympics World Games. The Summer Games are SOC’s largest National Games and they are a qualifying event for Team Canada selection for 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi. Find more information on the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games https://so2018.specialolympicsns.ca/

Special Olympics Alberta

Special Olympics Alberta is dedicated to enriching the lives of Albertans with intellectual disabilities through the transformative power and joy of sport. Our vision is that sport will open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities and create inclusive communities.

Special Olympics Alberta’s programs cater to all ages and a wide range of abilities to over 3,300 athletes in more than 140 communities. We provide world class sports programs that are run daily by over 1,300 volunteers. For more information on Special Olympics Alberta, visit, www.specialolympics.ca/alberta and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr and YouTube.

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Media Contact

Kiefer Sutherland
Marketing and Communications
Special Olympics Alberta
P: 780-422-5505
office@specialolympics.ab.ca