Close to 100 Ontario Special Olympics Alpine skiers from across central Ontario were at Blue Mountain Resort on Sunday for a competition.
Special Olympic athletes like Emma glided down the slopes of Blue Mountain to the finish line that can be the start of an Olympic journey of their own. But that’s not why Emma was out on Sunday.
“Do it because of the fun!”
The athletes were on the hill trying to qualify for next year’s provincial championship in North Bay. But athlete Zoe Barns says Special Olympics are about so much more than competition.
“It’s one way of getting active and involved socially with other people who have intellectual disabilities and getting together to make friends.”
Tara Parsons is Emma’s mother and says athletes have a great time and so do their families.
“Makes me feel really special and proud of Emma’s accomplishments – she’s so happy to be out here.”
The South Georgian Bay area is known for its well established Special Olympic program – one that works for a number of reasons.
“We have more than 44 volunteers and 27 athletes in total – so we’re actually the larges program in the world,” says Terry Sears with Blue Mountain Special Olympics.
Some of the athletes on Sunday might qualify for next year’s world championship and Zoe should know – last year she skied in the world’s in Korea; memories that will last forever.
“Making new friends and getting to compete for the country.”
The 2015 Provincial Games will be held in North Bay and the National Winter Games in Newfoundland-Labrador.
