Special Olympics Team Canada Athletes and Coaches Available for Interviews June 11
Monday June 5 - Toronto, ON - Special Olympics Canada athletes and coaches from across the country will gather in Toronto before travelling together to the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. This will mark a long-awaited return to competition on the international stage since the last Special Olympics World Games in 2019.
A total of 89 athletes will be representing Canada at the Games from June 17-25 and are gathering in Toronto before their official send-off on June 11th.
Joining them in Berlin is former Canadian national team goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé (and general manager of women’s soccer by the Vancouver Whitecaps). She will be acting as the Honorary Coach for Special Olympics Team Canada to offer inspiration, insight and to cheer on the team.
WHAT: Media availability with select Special Olympics Team Canada athletes, coaches, Team Leadership and Special Olympics Canada representatives.
WHERE: Seneca College Newnham Campus - 1760 Finch Ave. E, Toronto, ON M2J 5G3
WHEN: Athletes will be participating in various sessions throughout the weekend
The best media opportunities are as follows:
Sunday June 11th
- 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Visuals of athletes participating in fitness tests followed by interviews
- 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Interviews with athletes and coaches followed by a pep rally and shots of team members boarding buses for the airport
- Interviews available in-person cross-country and on Zoom by request.
WHO:
Media Opportunities Include:
- Stephanie Labbé, Olympian and Special Olympics Team Canada Honorary Coach
- Jodi Flanagan, Assistant Chef de Mission Special Olympics Team Canada
- Blair McIntosh, VP Sport Special Olympics Canada
Athletes Available for Interviews (NOTE: a videographer will be covering these athletes’ events live during the games and can provide footage)
- Regan Hofley (SO Manitoba-Athletics) -multiple gold medal athlete having competed in past Special Olympics World Games
- Kimana Mar (SO Ontario-Rhythmic Gymnastics) - Special Olympics athlete of 14 years
- Phil Brown (SO Nova Scotia-Powerlifting) - has worked hard for 30 thirty years to be named to Special Olympics Team Canada
- Jenny Adams (SO Manitoba-Bocce) - Special Olympics athlete of 29 years competing at her first World Summer Games. Attended Special Olympics World Winter Games Toronto for snowshoe in 1997.
- Ashley Thomas (SO Nova Scotia-Soccer )- participating in first Special Olympics Team Canada all-women’s soccer team
- Tyrine Flukinger (SO British Columbia-Basketball) - participating in the first Special Olympics Team Canada all-women’s basketball team
- Abbiy Wilson (SO Alberta-Swimming) - Special Olympics athlete of 18 years
- Natasha Stasiuk (SO Ontario-Golf) - decorated golfer participating for the first time on the world stage
- Pedro Désir (SO Quebec-Basketball) - Special Olympics athlete of 10 years, competing for the first time at the world level (French-speaking)
- Athletes representing every Province/Territory available for interviews on request in advance as well.
About Special Olympics Canada:
Established in 1974, the Canadian chapter of this global movement is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through the transformative power and joy of sport. Operating out of sport clubs in 12 Provincial and Territorial Chapters, this grassroots movement reaches beyond the sphere of sport to empower individuals, change attitudes and build communities. From two-year-olds to mature adults, thousands of athletes with an intellectual disability are registered in Special Olympics year-round programs across Canada. For more information, visit www.specialolympics.ca or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @SpecialOCanada
To book interviews or for more information, please contact:
Brigitte Kenny
Hype PR
brigitte@hypepr.ca
647-967-3272
Karen Cinq Mars
Special Olympics Canada
kcinqmars@specialolympics.ca
416-709-7568