Special Olympics Nova Scotia announces $750,000 in Funding for the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games
Nova Scotia will host the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games
July 31- August 4, 2018, in Antigonish.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, October 20, 2017 — Special Olympics Nova Scotia is honoured to announce $750,000 in funding for the Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games to be held in Antigonish from July 31 – Aug 4 at St FX University.
“We are pleased to add to our current list of contributors, the Province of Nova Scotia - Communities, Culture and Heritage - and The Michelin Corporate Foundation ,” says Michael Greek, President and CEO, Special Olympics Nova Scotia. “With these two new donations, we are on our way to showcasing our province, our home-grown athletes and the supportive and inclusive communities that allow our athletes to grow and strive for excellence every single day.”
The Special Olympics Canada 2018 Summer Games will host 1426 athletes, coaches, and mission staff from all across Canada. Athletes will begin to arrive on July 30th as they prepare for a week of competition in the sports of athletics, basketball, bocce, golf, powerlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, softball and swimming. Nova Scotia last hosted the Games in 1994 in Halifax.
“The Government of Nova Scotia is proud to support the games,” said Premier McNeil. “They will showcase the accomplishments of our athletes, promote inclusive communities and give the province an economic boost. I am also pleased the funding includes a legacy piece that invests in future athletes through training and development initiatives. When we invest in our communities and our people, we are building a stronger Nova Scotia.”
Special Olympics Nova Scotia (SONS) has been part of our Michelin family for over 30 years,” said Jeff MacLean, President, Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. “As one of SONS’ founding partners, employees from our three manufacturing sites volunteer every year at the SONS Summer Games, host torch runs in our Michelin communities and educate school children about SONS by visiting over 20 schools each spring. It was only natural for us as a company to step forward to support the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games being held here in our Nova Scotia backyard.”
“These Games are a flagship event for Special Olympics Canada and we are excited to see so many influential and impactful supporters come on-board to support our athletes,” said Sharon Bollenbach, CEO, Special Olympics Canada. “Thank you to all those who have pledged their support, these Games could and would not happen without you. We are counting down the months until the Games are here!”
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About the Special Olympics National Games: The Special Olympics Canada Summer & Winter Games started in 1974 and are national multi-sport Games for athletes with an intellectual disability. Over 42,500 athletes compete in training and competitions all across Canada supported by over 20,000 volunteers. It is the country’s largest multi-sport event for people with intellectual disabilities and provides our athletes with a development and competitive opportunity that prepares and qualifies them for Special Olympics World Games.
Contact:
Anne Marie Shannon, Communications, 902-429-2266 x 2 amshannon@sportnovascotia.ca
Deborah Carty, Michelin Communications 902.670.1837 deborah.carty@michelin.com
Lisa Jarrett 902-717-4199 lisa.jarrett@novascotia.ca