Athletes from Cranbrook and Kimberley will compete in the 2023 Special Olympics BC Winter Games next week.
Erin Thom, Jesse Jensen, Kendal Salanski and Neil Rye are on the Alpine Skiing team, while Daryl Mayer, Jessica Klasse, and Layne Benoit represent the region in Cross Country Skiing.
Chef de Mission Joanne Thom says the BC Winter Games are an important stepping stone on the path to international competition.
“From [regional competitions] they get chosen to go to provincial games, from provincial games it gives the competition to go forward to national games,” Thom says. “And that will be in Calgary I believe in 2024. And from Calgary they will be chosen for World Games.”
Thom is happy the games are back after a COVID-19 imposed hiatus, she says fans are welcome to come cheer them on.
“There is an opening ceremony in Kamloops and that is open to the public,” she says. “The public can also come and watch the sports, the main thing is we have to be aware that COVID is still out there and if our athletes are ill they can’t participate.”
The games go February 2 – 4 in Kamloops.
View more information from Special Olympics BC – Kimberley/Cranbrook below:
Special Olympics BC – Kimberley/Cranbrook will be well represented at the 2023 SOBC Winter Games presented by Prospera Credit Union.
* Erin Thom, Cranbrook – Alpine skiing
* Jesse Jensen, Cranbrook – Alpine skiing
* Kendal Salanski, Cranbrook – Alpine skiing
* Neil Rye, Kimberley, Alpine skiing
* Daryl Mayer, Cranbrook – Cross country skiing
* Jessica Klassen, Cranbrook – Cross country skiing
* Layne Benoit, Cranbrook – Cross country skiing
Coming to Kamloops February 2 to 4, these will be Special Olympics BC’s first Provincial Games in four years, and a powerful opportunity for athletes with intellectual disabilities to step into the spotlight, reconnect with friends, and be celebrated for their abilities.
The 2023 Special Olympics BC Games athletes will give their all in the eight SOBC winter sports: 5-pin bowling, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing, and speed skating.
Athletes earned their spots in these Provincial Games through their performances in Regional Qualifiers held from January to May 2022.
They are currently training hard in the year-round Special Olympics programs in their communities, getting ready to pursue personal bests in Kamloops and compete for the chance to qualify for the 2024 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Calgary.
“The 2023 Special Olympics BC Winter Games will be an incredible opportunity for athletes with intellectual disabilities to show their skills, compete with pride, and develop meaningful friendships,” says SOBC President & CEO Dan Howe. “We are so grateful to all the volunteers, sponsors, donors, and supporters who are helping athletes achieve their dreams.”
Members of the public can make a difference for deserving Special Olympics BC athletes by getting involved in rewarding roles in the year-round Special Olympics programs in their communities, and by donating to help make the empowering SOBC Games experience possible.
Supporters can find 2023 SOBC Winter Games stories, photos, and more at www.sobcgameskamloops.ca.
We are very grateful to our valued SOBC Games sponsors and provincial sponsors!
– Article contains statement from Special Olympics BC – Kimberley/Cranbrook
– Joanne Thom, Team Kimberley/Cranbrook Chef de Mission
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