Special Olympics Alberta Athletes chalk up for Provincial Powerlifting Qualifier

Calgary’s Central Sportsplex played host to the Special Olympics regional powerlifting qualifier June 25, where more than 40 athletes competed to secure their place in the 2017 Special Olympics Summer Games in Medicine Hat.

“All programs that have a powerlifting program have to participate in a qualifying meet to get their teams ready for the provincial games,” said Paul Manuel, head coach of powerlifting in Calgary. “We have teams from Calgary, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, and Grand Prairie.”

The powerlifting competition consisted of three different lifts – the squat, bench press, and deadlift. In Special Olympics, the squat is optional, but the bench press and deadlift are mandatory in order to participate in the provincial games. Of the 42 athletes at Saturday’s competition, at least 38 participated in all three lifts.

Manuel said there’s a lot of hard work and training that goes into an event like this. Indeed, with athletes big and small, young and old, lifting anywhere from 75 to more than 300 pounds, hard work and training is definitely a requisite for powerlifting success.

Chuck McDonald, a 23-year veteran with Special Olympics from Medicine Hat, said he knows a thing or two about hard work and training.

“We practice every week at Crescent Heights High School,” said McDonald. “We also practiced at the curling rink before coming to Calgary.

Throughout his Special Olympics tenure McDonald has competed on the national stage twice before, both in 1998 and 2006 for bowling and swimming. He also plans to compete at the provincial games next summer.

But for McDonald, Special Olympics is about more than just competing – it’s also a great way to meet new people and make lifelong friends.

Sandra Lanz, a powerlifting coach with Special Olympics Medicine Hat, agreed with McDonald, saying there is more to Special Olympics than the competitions. She said her time with Special Olympics has had a tremendous impact on her life.

“I absolutely love working with the athletes and watching them grow and being able to compete,” said Lanz. “Watching them grow and be successful is really awesome.”



Manuel too spoke of the impact Special Olympics has had on his life. He said being a part of the Special Olympics community over the past 28 years has been truly inspirational.

“We all have our adversaries, and people with intellectual disabilities have that much more, and they’re just a shining example to all of us,” said Manuel.

To view the results from the June 25 powerlifting qualifier click here.

The 2017 Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games in Medicine Hat will take place from July 5-7, and is expected to draw more than 1,400 athletes and coaches from around the province.

To view more pictures from the June 25 powerlifting qualifier, visit our Facebook or Flickr page. And be sure to keep up with our athlete’s progress this summer by reviewing our community calendar and finding an event near you.