2018 Games Upcoming Events & Highlights from July 31

Catherine and Peter

Upcoming Events for August 1, 2018
•    First day for competition of the Games! All sports except Rhythmic Gymnastics will start competition today
•    Day 1 of Healthy Athlete’s at the Schwartz Building is happening from 9am to 5pm
•    There will be a press conference from The Honourable Minister Kirsty Duncan at 10:50 in 50th square to celebrate the Government of Canada’s funding of Special Olympics across Canada
•    The first medals of Games will be handed out in athletics and swimming in 50th square
•    Powerlifting will be a featured sport, with competition taking place in the Keating Centre as evening entertainment


Highlights from July 31, 2018
•    It was practice day for most teams, as they get a feel for their competition venues
•    Athletes had a chance to visit Crystal Cliffs, a local beach, for an athlete experience. Co-presenting sponsor Sobeys supplied teams with local Nova Scotia mussels
•    The Opening Ceremony officially marked the beginning of Games. With incredible performances and live music, it was an eventful evening for athletes and spectators alike

Interesting Facts
•    New Brunswick athlete Veronique LeBlanc has lost 50 pounds in the last year training for these Games
•    Evan Sharpe, local Special Olympics Nova Scotia athlete has 4 siblings, all of whom are volunteering (along with his parents!) at these Games. Older brother Ryan is a Sobeys employee
•    Yesterday’s heat proved to be a battle, but Team Newfoundland and Labrador have a FANtastic group of coaches who, in under 2 hours, assembled 40 fans to help their athletes stay cool!
•    Special Olympics Ontario father-son duo Paul and Andrew McTaggart play both basketball and floor hockey together. The family that plays together, stays together.