Athletes are all set for the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.
The competition takes place in Medicine Hat Aug. 11 to 15.
Lethbridge will be well represented at the Games, with seven local athletes competing.
The athletes include bocce players Adrian Van Den Biggelaar, Randy Chandler, Scott Nickel and Vincent Groten, swimmers Alex McCulloch and Bryce Colby, and 10-pin bowler Gracie Gales.
“I think everybody is really amped up for it. There are definitely some nerves there, but I think everybody is overall really excited for it,” said Deanna Robins, one of the head coaches for the bocce squad with Team Alberta.
Robins noted that for some of the athletes, this will be their first time competing at the national level. “I’m really excited to see all the athletes and to see everybody from all over Canada compete,” she said.
Robins explained that the athletes found out last summer they would be participating in this year’s national event as members of Team Alberta.
“They have been practicing twice a week ever since,” she remarked.
“They have been practicing, they’ve been doing dryland training, they’ve been working out, [and] they’ve been watching their diets. They’ve really taken into account all of the things that were asked of them and have been rocking it.”
CAMRADERIE
Robins said one of the biggest aspects of the Games and Special Olympics in general is the relationships that are built on and off the field.
“The big part of the Games is just getting to meet everybody and getting to know everybody from across the country,” she said.
“A lot of these athletes [have] seen each other at different competitions in various different sports over the years, so it’s like seeing a friend that you haven’t seen in a long time.”
Robins added that competitions are taken seriously, but sportsmanship is ever present.
“They meet up with them [fellow athletes], and they visit with them and they encourage them and it’s an atmosphere where everybody is striving to do their best and everybody is encouraging everybody to do their best.”
On Sunday, Aug. 9, the community is invited to see the Special Olympics Flame of Hope travel through the city as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The event will also serve as a send-off for local athletes, coaches and volunteers going to Medicine Hat.
Robins said the event starts at 12 p.m. at Lethbridge City Hall.
She added that registration for Special Olympics will open in September, and the local crew is always looking for extra help.
“There’s always opportunities to volunteer, and we will always be looking for more athletes to join our programs,” Robins said.
Those interested in getting involved can visit the Special Olympics Lethbridge Facebook page or the Special Olympics Canada and Alberta websites.
Competitions at the Games in Medicine Hat will be live streamed on the Special Olympics Canada website, alongside live updates.
