Cheering on Special Olympics Athletes bound for 2015 Canada Games
Story from Special Olympics BC
The Canada Games are coming to Prince George next February, and four Special Olympics BC figure skaters are preparing to be part of the action in their home province.
From February 13 until March 1, the 2015 Canada Winter Games will bring together 2,400 athletes, 1,000 coaches and officials, up to 4,500 volunteers, hundreds of media and thousands of visitors in Prince George and northern B.C. The Canada Games is the largest and most prestigious multi-sport competition for young Canadian athletes.
The following SOBC athletes have been selected to compete based on their qualifications including their performances over the 2013-14 sport season. Please join us in congratulating them and wishing them luck!
Stephanie Divin, SOBC – Surrey
Matthew Lai, SOBC – Richmond
Eric Pahima, SOBC – Vancouver
Emily Walzak, SOBC – Victoria
“The Canada Games are an amazing opportunity for our athletes to showcase their abilities and dedication to sport to the rest of the sport world. The 2015 Canada Winter Games will be extra special in that they are being hosted in our province, which will hopefully give our athletes a bit of home-field advantage!” says Shawn Fevens, SOBC Manager, Sport.
Read about Lai’s inspiring effect on fellow athletes at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax
The Canada Games have been a stepping stone for some of our country’s top athletes on their path to greatness, including the likes of Sidney Crosby, Catriona Le May Dona, Steve Nash, and Hayley Wickenheiser. The list of Canada Games alumni now will also include the names of Walzak, Pahima, Lai, and Divin, as they will have the chance to serve notice of their abundant abilities in Prince George.
Tuesday, November 4, marks the 100-day countdown to the opening of the 2015 Canada Winter Games. The figure skating competitions will take place February 23 to 26.
The 2015 Canada Winter Games will be the largest multi-sport and cultural event to ever be held in Prince George and northern British Columbia and is forecasted to generate an economic impact of over $90 million while building champions and inspiring dreams amongst Canadian youth. Athletes from 10 provinces and three territories will compete in 19 sports with the dream of becoming Canada’s next champions.
Prince George is the first city in British Columbia to host a winter edition of the Canada Games and together with the Official Host First Nation, the Lheidli T’enneh, they will extend a heartfelt welcome to the athletes from over 800 communities who will be coming to town for the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
Find out more about Special Olympics BC.