What an amazing time for track and field! Sending a shout out to the many athletes and big events in action all over the province this month!
The lead-up to the SO Canada Summer Games got underway earlier this month when a total of 35 Special Olympics BC competed in the BC High School Track & Field Championships in early June, marking their second trip to the competition after making their debut last year. Athletes competed in the 100 metre, 400 m and shot put. Thanks to BC School Sports for the opportunity!
Big thanks to all the coaches, volunteers, and Locals putting in the time to host events and organize trips to participate.
To cap off a great month, on June 26 Special Olympics BC athletes will race for the fifth time in the iconic Harry Jerome International Track Classic, alongside the likes of Olympic medal-winning sprinter Andre De Grasse at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby.
Athletics Coach Tom Norton is excited for the opportunity for his athletes. He said it’s an excellent chance for them to prepare for the upcoming 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.
“Our Special Olympics athletes will be toeing the start line alongside some of the best track and field athletes from Canada and China,” Norton said. “An athlete is an athlete is an athlete, and we are pleased to be included. This meet, the showcase for B.C.athletics will be an excellent test and tune-up for several of our Team BC athletes attending the Canada Summer Games in Antigonish.”
In total, 16 SOBC athletes will take part in the 100-metre dash on June 26. The women’s race is slated to start at 8:05 p.m., followed by the men’s at 8:11 p.m.
SOBC athletes competing at the Harry Jerome International Track Classic:
Women’s
- Paige Norton, SOBC – Abbotsford
- Melissa Semke, SOBC – Surrey
- Suraya Pittalwalla, SOBC – North Shore
- Arianna Phillips, SOBC – Nanaimo
- Olivia Neuman, SOBC – Surrey
- Kayley Olund, SOBC – Surrey
- April Armstrong, SOBC – Burnaby
Male
- Jesse Thibeault, SOBC – Surrey
- Zack Thibeault, SOBC – Surrey
- Thomas Rak, SOBC – Surrey
- Malcolm Borsoi, SOBC – Surrey
- Michael Savage, SOBC – Langley
- Michael Phillips, SOBC – Nanaimo
- Daniel Batson, SOBC – Burnaby
- Sash Barbour, SOBC – Nanaimo
- Ryland Mallari (alternate), SOBC – Surrey
As June comes to a close, Team BC will feature a strong athletics team heading to the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games with hopes of putting on a strong showing Antigonish, Nova Scotia.