MEDIA ADVISORY
Official Launch of 2019 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games-Calgary
CALGARY, AB, March 5, 2018- With the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics captivating Canada’s hearts and pride, Calgary continues to celebrate the love of sports with the official announcement of 2019 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games!
“We have been watching two weeks of amazing athletes in PyeongChang and are looking forward to cheering on our Paralympic athletes. Next year, Calgary will have the privilege of watching amazing athletic performances right in their own backyard as we proudly host the Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games,” said Karen Saunders, 2019 games organizing committee co-chair.
Calgary has a great history of hosting Special Olympics games hosting past summer and winter games in 1982, 1999 and 2007 and the Special Olympics national games in 1986. From February 8 to 10, Calgary will welcome over 800 athletes from 23 communities across Alberta and N.W.T. Athletes as young as 10 and as old as 60 will compete in 5-pin bowling, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing, and speed skating.
“We’ve had unbelievable response and support from the city of Calgary to make the 2019 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games a success,” said Johnny Byrne, president and CEO of Special Olympics Alberta.
“As a mother of a Special Olympics athlete and a proud Calgarian, I’m honoured to share the plans and the partners we have to make the 2019 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games an experience to be remembered!” said Saunders.
Olympian, Catriona Le May Doan will be emceeing the event with an opening address from Lieutenant Governor General of Alberta, Her Honour, the Honourable Lois Mitchell. Notable sports figures attending the event are Calgary Stampeders: John Hufnagel (president and general manager), Dave Dickenson (head coach), and Alex Singleton (linebacker) and Olympians: Kyle Shewfelt, Michelle Cameron-Coulter and Kerrin Lee-Gartner.
Special Olympics Alberta invites media to cover the official announcement of the 2019 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games in Calgary.
2019 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games Launch
March 6, 2018
Canada Sport Hall of Fame, 169 Canada Olympic Road SW
11:30 a.m.: Light snacks
12 p.m.: Official announcement
2019 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games
The 2019 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games will celebrate strength, sport and spirit.
Over 1,000 athletes, coaches and mission staff representing over 23 Alberta communities and N.W.T. will compete in Calgary from February 8 to 10, 2019. The Provincial Games will feature 8 sport competitions: 5-pin bowling, alpine skiing, cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing, and speed skating in venues throughout Calgary. Opening ceremony will be held on February 8 at Winsport, 88 Canada Olympics Road SW, with over 2,000 expected fans.
Follow the journey of athletes and the host town on social media with #Calgary2019 and #StrengthSportSpirit on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
Special Olympics Alberta
Special Olympics Alberta is dedicated to enriching the lives of Albertans with intellectual disabilities through the transformative power and joy of sport. Our vision is that sport will open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities and create inclusive communities.
Special Olympics Alberta’s programs cater to all ages and a wide range of abilities to over 3,300 athletes in more than 140 communities. We provide world class sports programs that are run daily by over 1,300 volunteers. For more information on Special Olympics Alberta, visit, www.specialolympics.ca/alberta and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr and YouTube. #ChoosetoInclude
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For more information please contact:
Katherine Dalusong
Marketing and Communications
Special Olympics Alberta
kdalusong@specialolympics.ab.ca
P: 780-415-0719
C: 780-975-2795