We’re thrilled to congratulate the 11 athletes from Special Olympics BC that have been named to Special Olympics Team Canada. The athletes will represent Canada at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi from March 14 to 21, 2019. The team consists of athletes from all 12 participating Special Olympics provinces/territories across Canada.

Lois McNary, Vice President, Sport for SOBC, said she was extremely proud of all the athletes and coaches that took part in the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games and those who were selected to go to the World Games.

“The athletes and coaches that took part in the National Games in Antigonish wore the Team BC colours with honour and did a fantastic job representing their province,” McNary said. “We are excited to be able to showcase athletes on the provincial, national, and world stage knowing they represent B.C. with pride. Congratulations to athletes selected to represent Canada at the World Games in Abu Dhabi.”

As well as the 11 athletes, McNary said SOBC will be sending six coaches and three members of the SO Team Canada Mission staff to Abu Dhabi.

Special Olympics Team Canada athletes, coaches, and Mission staff are:

10-pin Bowling

Athletics

Athletics coaches

Bocce coach

Golf

Golf coaches

Powerlifting coach

Swimming

Mission Staff

Athletes named to Special Olympics Team Canada were selected based on a number of factors, including results from the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.  

“Representing Canada at any sporting event is a huge honour and responsibility, and we welcome all team members and congratulate them on this exciting accomplishment,” said Chef de Mission for Special Olympics Team Canada 2019, Mike Greek. “We begin as individuals from all across the country, but we will quickly gel as a dynamic, hardworking and laser-focused team. By the end of the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games, we will be a close-knit family!”

Over the next six months, team members will be hard at work training to compete on the world stage. The team will come together for the first time for training camps from October 11 to 14 and again October 18 to 21.

“We couldn’t be more proud of the Special Olympics athletes that will be representing Canada at the upcoming 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games,” said Sharon Bollenbach, Special Olympics Canada CEO. “Congratulations to all team members! I cannot wait to see you compete on the world stage and wear the maple leaf proudly and with honour.”

In addition to formally announcing the Special Olympics Team Canada 2019 athletes, Special Olympics Canada also officially welcomed Marnie McBean to the team. McBean, an Olympic rower and long-time Special Olympics supporter, will act as Honorary Coach as they compete in Abu Dhabi.

“I am thrilled to be Honorary Coach for Special Olympics Team Canada 2019,” said McBean. “It’s a particular honour since it’s the 50th year of the movement and I know how hard the athletes and coaches who have earned their positions on this team have been working.”

The 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games will take place in Abu Dhabi from March 14 to 21, 2019. It will be the largest sport and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2019.

Click here for the complete 2019 Special Olympics Team Canada roster