Calgary, AB, September 4, 2019- No ice, no problem for Team Alberta figure skating who are set for their sport-specific training camp in preparation for the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.
“Team Alberta athletes make a commitment to train year round leading up to National Games,” said Jodi Flanagan, Chef de Mission for Team Alberta. “These figure skaters may have some time off the ice, but work hard in the gym and cross training with other sports. These athlete are very dedicated to their team, their sport and are always looking to improve their performance.”
On September 8, Special Olympics Team Alberta figure skaters will take part in training camp at Mount Royal University from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All seven figure skaters and their two coaches will meet for fitness training, workshops, and team bonding.
“Team Alberta will host training camps in each of the eight sports over the course of the year,” said Flanagan. “These camps provide opportunity for the athletes (who may live in different regions) and coaches to get to know each other as well as working on some technical and physical training. SOA partners with ASDC as well as other sport scientists to help athletes and coaches with their further development and success.”
Team Alberta will represent the province at the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay, Ontario from February 25 to 29.
Based on the results from the 2019 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games in Calgary, 131 athletes, coaches and mission staff throughout the province were chosen to represent Alberta at the National Games.
“Athletes lives attending a national games are forever changed by the skills, friendships, and confidence they develop through this exciting experience. It is pure joy to witness their growth.” – Sallie Szanik, Team Alberta mission staff.
Team Alberta figure skaters are: Amber Harriman from Calgary, JorDen Tyson from Calgary, Meg Ohsada from Canmore, Emma Bittorf from Strathmore, McKenna Husband from Strathmore, Eleanor Saubak from Strathmore, and Kennedy Zaytsoff from Strathmore, along with Head Coach Barb Prystai from Calgary and Associate Coach Olea Taboulchanas from Lethbridge.
Special Olympics Team Alberta invites media to come meet and interview our skaters and coaches. Upon arrival please call Team Alberta Chef de Mission, Jodi Flanagan at 403-701-9290.
TEAM ALBERTA FIGURE SKATING CAMP
Date: Sunday, September 8, 2019
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Venue: Mount Royal University, 4825 Mt Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB T3E 6K6
Check out our full Team Alberta roster of athletes, coaches and mission staff online at www.specialolympics.ca/2020-team-alberta
Team Alberta is supported by donations through our Draft an Athlete program and personal fundraising of athletes through Personal Best, for more information about supporting Team Alberta 2020, go to https://www.specialolympics.ca/2020-team-alberta/support.
Special Olympics Team Alberta
Team Alberta is represented by 97 athletes and 34 coaches and mission staff who will be competing at the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Thunder Bay, ON. from February 25 to 29. Athletes will compete in eight winter sports: 5-pin bowling, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing, and speed skating.
For more information and a full roster of Team Alberta members, go to www.specialolympics.ca/2020-team-alberta. More information on the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games can be found at http://specialolympics2020.com/.
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. Our vision is that sport will open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities and create inclusive communities. Special Olympics Alberta’s programs cater to all ages and a wide range of abilities to over 3,200 athletes in more than 150 communities. We provide world class sports programs that are run daily by over 1,200 volunteers. For more information on Special Olympics Alberta, visit, www.specialolympics.ca/alberta and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, and YouTube.
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Media Contact
Jodi Flanagan
Chef de Mission
Team Alberta
Phone: 403-701-9290
Kiefer Scott Sutherland
Marketing and Communications
Team Alberta
Phone: 1-800-444-2883 Ext. 1009
ksutherland@specialolympics.ab.ca