In a brief ceremony this morning at the Healthy Living Centre (HLC), representatives from Special Olympics Manitoba and Brandon University (BU) officially launched a one-year countdown to the 2017 Special Olympics Manitoba Provincial Summer Games, which will be held in Brandon next June.
“Special Olympics Manitoba is very excited to host our 2017 Provincial Summer Games in Brandon,” said Jenn Campbell, Special Olympics Manitoba incoming President and CEO. “We know that Brandon will be a fantastic host for our athletes from across the province!”
About 400 Special Olympics athletes will be coming for the three-day-long Summer Games next year. They’ll compete in 10 different sports, at the HLC and other venues, while staying in an Athletes Village at the BU residence and dining at the BU Harvest Hall cafeteria.
“Participating in these Games is a tremendous opportunity for the athletes involved, as well as for the volunteers who generously contribute their time to the organization,” said BU Vice President (Academic & Provost) Dr. Steve Robinson. “These Games will be a great success in Brandon due to the support that our community will provide, and we are pleased that Brandon University has the opportunity to contribute to such a worthwhile event and to our community as the host.”
Along with other BU volunteers, the University’s Student Accessibility Services Co-ordinator, Michelle Magnusson, has taken a role as Chair of the Host Committee for the 2017 Summer Games.
“These Games will provide the opportunity to promote physical activity and sport opportunities for athletes in Brandon, Westman and Manitoba. I am excited to help highlight the inclusiveness and team spirit of the athletes, families and Special Olympics in our community.” Magnusson said. “Brandon has a long history of strong volunteerism when hosting events and I look forward to our community continuing this tradition. There has already been tons of enthusiasm from our community to make these games a successful and a positive experience for everyone involved.”
It’s not the first time that BU has proudly hosted Special Olympics. In 2006, the University housed 800 participants in residence for the 2006 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.
Next year’s 2017 Summer Games will be used to select Team Manitoba to compete at the 2018 National Summer Games in Antigonish, N.S., with separate National Championships for Five-Pin Bowling and 10-Pin Bowling in PEI and Ontario, respectively.
Today’s ceremony was timed to be a part of Special Olympics Manitoba Awareness Week, which runs June 12–18 with a theme of “Accept With No Exception” as a message of inclusion.
Registration packages for the 2017 Special Olympics Manitoba Provincial Summer Games will be available in the fall.
Special Olympics Manitoba is dedicated to enriching the lives of Manitobans with an intellectual disability through active participation in sport.
Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship, and educates students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders.
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