EDMONTON, AB, October 26, 2016- Special Olympics Alberta members took to Parliament Hill on October 25. Special Olympics Alberta along with all the provinces and territories descended into Ottawa to meet with members of parliament (MPs) and senators to spread awareness about Special Olympics and the impact it creates. Special Olympics Alberta’s Team Canada speed skater, Evan James joined his sister and coach, Rochelle Chamczuk with Special Olympics Alberta sport manager Jill Moore and Special Olympics Alberta president and CEO, Johnny Byrne.

The team met with several MPs and senators during the day and took an afternoon sports break with a friendly game of soccer on the front lawn of Parliament Hill.

“We had amazing energy and enthusiasm from our members of parliament and senators,” said Johnny Byrne, president and CEO of Special Olympics Alberta.

“All the members we spoke to were very receptive to our movement and welcomed our athlete, Evan James to discuss what he gets by being part of Special Olympics. He was even giving some good tips on lost workout nutrition with Senator Mitchell.”

Special Olympics Canada Hill Day ended with a reception hosted by Honorable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport & Persons with Disabilities at Parliament Hill’s Centre Block. Special Olympics athletes, families, and chapter representatives had the opportunity to share stories about Special Olympics impacting lives in communities across Canada.

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. Special Olympics Alberta’s programs cater to all ages and a wide range of abilities with over 3,000 athletes in more than 140 communities. We provide world class sports programs that run daily by over 1,000 volunteers. For more information on Special Olympics Alberta, visit, www.specialolympics.ab.ca or follow us on Facebook, Twitter @SpecialOAlberta, Instagram, YouTube and Flickr.

About Our Athlete Evan James

Evan James is part of Special Olympics Team Canada and will be competing at the 2017 Special Olympics World Games held in Austria from March 14 to 25. He will be competing in speed skating and has dedicated training daily in Stony Plain with the support of the local Special Olympics program and his sister. Check out his Team Canada bio: http://teamcanada.specialolympics.ca/team-canada/speed-skating/

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For more information please contact:

Katherine Dalusong
Marketing and Communications
Special Olympics Alberta
P: 780-415-0719
KDalusong@specialolympics.ab.ca