Sault Ste. Marie has a long history with the Special Olympics and our community is very proud of the many Saultites who have been involved over the years – whether as athletes, coaches, organizers or supporters.
With the 2019 Ontario Special Olympics Winter Games kicking off tonight, I want to send a message to all of the people involved with the games.
To all of the athletes: I wish you the very best. It takes an incredible amount of training to get ready to compete in the games. Your participation is a testament to your hard work and your positive attitudes.
To all of the supporters, organizers and coaches: thank you for helping the games and the athletes. Your guidance, assistance and support has made and will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of the athletes.
It takes an incredible amount of work to organize an event of this magnitude, and I understand that about 600 volunteers have signed up to help out; which is really a great example of the caring community we have here in Sault Ste. Marie. It is always heartening to see Saultites come together to offer help when it is needed, time-after-time.
The local media have been profiling some of the local athletes, volunteers and supporters, and included below are links to these stories. If we missed any links, comment on social media and they will be added.
Special Olympics Profile Section: http://postmediakiosk.milibris.com/reader/79417f8e-b525-48dc-9823-e63cec75e098?origin=/catalog/special-olympics/special-olympics/2019-01-24
Kristen Bonenfant: https://www.sootoday.com/local-sports/local-special-olympian-has-too-many-awards-to-display-1144773
Miguel Bedard: https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/meet-miguel-hes-looking-forward-to-world-class-snowshoeing-1113948
Carter Simpson: https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/carter-loves-skiing-and-elvis-1140990
Brandon Fortin: https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/busy-brandon-battles-back-after-surgery-looks-forward-to-athletic-competition-1122901
Shevy and Nathan Harman: https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/the-harman-boys-are-ready-to-curl-1166743
Quinn Pleau MacWilliam: https://www.sootoday.com/local-sports/the-games-will-be-amazing-quinn-says-1197830
Rob Lewis: https://www.sootoday.com/local-sports/rob-skis-35-kilometres-a-day-all-set-for-olympics-1194309
Jason Lemcke: https://www.sootoday.com/local-sports/jason-likes-getting-his-arms-and-legs-moving-ready-to-compete-1177878
Vince Coccimiglio: https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/vince-cant-wait-to-show-off-curling-skills-in-february-1161713
Josh Chartrand: https://www.sootoday.com/local-sports/josh-and-the-team-ready-to-throw-rocks-1174518
Special Olympics – Meet the Athletes (Curling): https://saultonline.com/2019/01/special-olympics-meet-the-athletes-curling/
Special Olympics – Meet the Athletes (Snowshoeing): https://saultonline.com/2019/01/special-olympics-meet-the-athletes-snowshoeing/
Kids help Special Olympians achieve their dreams: https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/kids-help-special-olympians-achieve-their-dreams-1.4207744
Volunteers travel from Switzerland to volunteer with the
Ontario Special Olympics Winter Games: https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.4277287
